Respiratory syncytial virus replication inhibitors

ABSTRACT

This invention concerns the use of compounds of formula (I) wherein -a 1 =a 2 -a 3  =a 4 - is a radical of formula —CH═CH—CH═CH—, —N═CH—CH═CH—, —CH═N—CH═CH—, —CH═CH—N═CH—, —CH═CH—CH═N— wherein each hydrogen atom may optionally be substituted; Q is a radical of formulas (b-1), (b-2), (b-3), (b-4), (b-5), (b-6), (b-7), (b-8). G is a direct bond or C 1-10 alkanediyl; R 1  is an optionally substituted monocyclic heterocycle; for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of viral infections, in particular RSV infections. Certain compounds of formula (I) are new.

The present invention is concerned with benzimidazoles and imidazopyridines having antiviral activity, in particular, they have an inhibitory activity on the replication of the respiratory syncytial virus. It further concerns their preparation and compositions comprising them, as well as their use as a medicine.

Human RSV or Respiratory Syncytial Virus is a large RNA virus, member of the family of Paramyxoviridae, subfamily pneumovirinae together with bovine RSV virus. Human RSV is responsible for a spectrum of respiratory tract diseases in people of all ages throughout the world. It is the major cause of lower respiratory tract illness during infancy and childhood. Over half of all infants encounter RSV in their first year of life, and almost all within their first two years. The infection in young children can cause lung damage that persists for years and may contribute to chronic lung disease in later life (chronic wheezing, asthma). Older children and adults often suffer from a (bad) common cold upon RSV infection. In old age, susceptibility again increases, and RSV has been implicated in a number of outbreaks of pneumonia in the aged resulting in significant mortality.

Infection with a virus from a given subgroup does not protect against a subsequent infection with an RSV isolate from the same subgroup in the following winter season. Re-infection with RSV is thus common, despite the existence of only two subtypes, A and B.

Today only three drugs have been approved for use against RSV infection. Ribavirin, a nucleoside analogue, provides an aerosol treatment for serious RSV infection in hospitalized children. The aerosol route of administration, the toxicity (risk of teratogenicity), the cost and the highly variable efficacy limit its use. The other two drugs, RespiGam® and palivizumab, polyclonal and monoclonal antibody immunostimulants, are intended to be used in a preventive way.

Other attempts to develop a safe and effective RSV vaccine have all met with failure thus far. Inactivated vaccines failed to protect against disease, and in fact in some cases enhanced disease during subsequent infection. Life attenuated vaccines have been tried with limited success. Clearly there is a need for an efficacious non-toxic and easy to administer drug against RSV replication.

EP-A-0,005,318, EP-A-0,099,139, EP-A-0,145,037, EP-A-0,144,101, EP-A-0,151,826, EP-A-0,151,824, EP-A-0,232,937, EP-A-0,295,742, EP 0,297,661, EP-A-0,307,014, WO 92 01697 describe benzimidazole and imidazopyridine substituted piperidine and piperazine derivatives as antihistaminics, antiallergics or serotonine antagonists.

The present invention concerns the use of a compound for the manufacture of a medicament for treating viral infections, wherein the compound is a compound of formula

a prodrug, N-oxide, addition salt, quaternary amine, metal complex and stereochemically isomeric form thereof, wherein

-   -   -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴- represents a bivalent radical of formula         —CH═CH—CH═CH—  (a-1);         —N═CH—CH═CH—  (a-2);         —CH═N—CH═CH—  (a-3);         —CH═CH—N═CH—  (a4); or         —CH═CH—CH═N—  (a-5);     -   wherein each hydrogen atom in the radicals (a-1), (a-2), (a-3),         (a4) and (a-5) may optionally be replaced by halo, C₁₋₆alkyl,         nitro, amino, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl,         carboxyl, aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,         C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, or a radical of formula     -   wherein =Z is ═O, ═CH—C(═O)—NR^(5a)R^(5b), ═CH₂, ═CH—C₁₋₆alkyl,         ═N—OH or ═N—O—C₁₋₆alkyl;

Q is a radical of formula

wherein Alk is C₁₋₆alkanediyl;

-   -   Y¹ is a bivalent radical of formula —NR²— or —CH(NR²R⁴)—;     -   X¹ is NR⁴, S, S(═O), S(═O)₂, O, CH₂, C(═O), C(═CH₂), CH(OH),         CH(CH₃), CH(OCH₃), CH(SCH₃), CH(NR^(5a)R^(5b)), CH₂—NR⁴ or         NR⁴—CH₂;     -   X² is a direct bond, CH₂, C(═O), NR⁴, C₁₋₄alkyl-NR⁴,         NR⁴—C₁₄alkyl;     -   t is 2, 3, 4 or 5;     -   u is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5;     -   v is 2 or 3; and     -   whereby each hydrogen atom in Alk and the carbocycles and the         heterocycles defined in radicals (b-3), (b-4), (b-5), (b-6),         (b-7) and (b-8) may optionally be replaced by R³; with the         proviso that when R³ is hydroxy or C₁₋₆alkyloxy, then R³ can not         replace a hydrogen atom in the a position relative to a nitrogen         atom;     -   G is a direct bond or C₁₋₁₀alkanediyl;     -   R¹ is a monocyclic heterocycle selected from piperidinyl,         piperazinyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl,         pyrrolyl, furanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thienyl, oxazolyl,         thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, and         isothiazolyl; and each heterocycle may optionally be substituted         with 1 or where possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents         selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyl,         C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl,         arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or         di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,         polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonylamino,         C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl,         —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—,         halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—,         arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or di         (C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—;     -   each n independently is 1, 2, 3 or 4;     -   R² is hydrogen, formyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl, Hetcarbonyl,         pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl         substituted with N(R⁶)₂, or C₁₋₁₀alkyl substituted with N(R⁶)₂         and optionally with a second, third or fourth substituent         selected from amino, hydroxy, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, C₂₋₅alkanediyl,         piperidinyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino,         C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonylamino, aryl and aryloxy;     -   R³ is hydrogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, arylC₁₋₆alkyl         or arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy;     -   R⁴ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or arylC₁₋₆alkyl;     -   R^(5a), R^(5b), R^(5c) and R^(5d) each independently are         hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; or     -   R^(5a) and R^(5b), or R^(5c) and R^(5d) taken together form a         bivalent radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)— wherein s is 4 or 5;     -   R⁶ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, formyl, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl,         C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl or C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl;     -   aryl is phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1 or more, such as 2,         3 or 4, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl,         hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy; and     -   Het is pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl.

The present invention also relates to a method of treating warm-blooded animals suffering from or susceptible to viral infections, in particular RSV infection. Said method comprises the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a prodrug thereof, a N-oxide form, a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt, a quaternary amine, a metal complex or a stereochemically isomeric form thereof in admixture with a pharmaceutical carrier.

A further embodiment of the present invention includes the compounds of formula (I′)

their prodrugs, N-oxides, addition salts, quaternary amines, metal complexes and stereochemically isomeric forms, wherein

-   -   -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴- represents a radical of formula         —CH═CH—CH═CH—  (a-1);         —N═CH—CH═CH—  (a-2);         —CH═N—CH═CH—  (a-3);         —CH═CH—N═CH—  (a-4); or         —CH═CH—CH═N—  (a-5);     -   wherein each hydrogen atom in the radicals (a-1), (a-2), (a-3),         (a-4) and (a-5) may optionally be replaced by halo, C₁₋₆alkyl,         nitro, amino, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl,         carboxyl, aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,         C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, or a radical of formula     -   wherein =Z is ═O, ═CH—C(═O)—NR^(5a)R^(5b), ═CH₂, ═CH—C₁₋₆alkyl,         ═N—OH or ═N—O—C₁₋₆alkyl;

Q is a radical of formula

wherein Alk is C₁₋₆alkanediyl;

-   -   Y¹ is a bivalent radical of formula —NR²— or —CH(NR²R⁴)—;     -   X¹ is NR⁴, S, S(═O), S(═O)₂, O, CH₂, C(═O), C(═CH₂), CH(OH),         CH(CH₃), CH(OCH₃), CH(SCH₃), CH(NR^(5a)R^(5b)), CH₂—NR⁴ or         NR⁴—CH₂;     -   X² is a direct bond, CH₂, C(═O), NR⁴, C₁₋₄alkyl-NR⁴,         NR⁴—C₁₋₄alkyl;     -   t is 2, 3, 4 or 5;     -   u is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5;     -   v is 2 or 3; and     -   whereby each hydrogen atom in Alk and the carbocycles and the         heterocycles defined in radicals (b-3), (b-4), (b-5), (b-6),         (b-7) and (b-8) may optionally be replaced by R³; with the         proviso that when R³ is hydroxy or C₁₋₆alkyloxy, then R³ can not         replace a hydrogen atom in the a position relative to a nitrogen         atom;     -   G is a direct bond or C₁₋₁₀alkanediyl;     -   R¹ is a monocyclic heterocycle selected from pyridyl, pyrazinyl,         pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl and pyrazolyl;         and each heterocycle may optionally be substituted with 1 or         where possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents selected         from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyl,         C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C1-6alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl,         arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or         di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,         polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-carbonylamino,         C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl,         —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—,         halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—,         arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or         di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—;     -   each n independently is 1, 2, 3 or 4;     -   R² is hydrogen, formyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl,         homopiperidinyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl substituted with N(R⁶)₂, or         C₁₋₁₀alkyl substituted with N(R⁶)₂ and optionally with a second,         third or fourth substituent selected from amino, hydroxy,         C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, C₂₋₅alkanediyl, piperidinyl, mono- or         di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonylamino, aryl and aryloxy;     -   R³ is hydrogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, arylC₁₋₆alkyl         or arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy;     -   R⁴ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or arylC₁₋₆alkyl;     -   R^(5a), R^(5b), R^(5c) and R^(5d) each independently are         hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; or     -   R^(5a) and R^(5b), or R^(5c) and R^(5d) taken together form a         bivalent radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)— wherein s is 4 or 5;     -   R⁶ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, formyl, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl,         C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl or C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl;     -   aryl is phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1 or more, such as 2,         3 or 4, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl,         hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, and C₁₋₆alkyloxy;     -   provided that when G is methylene, and R¹ is 2-pyridyl,         3-pyridyl, 6-methyl-2-pyridyl, 2-pyrazinyl or         5-methyl-imidazol-4-yl, and -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴- is —CH═CH—CH═CH— or         —N═CH—CH═CH—, then Q is other than

Yet another embodiment of the present invention includes the following group of compounds

-   2-[[2-[[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-5-chloro-7-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol     tetrahydrochloride tetrahydrate; -   N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(2,4-dimethyl-5-oxazolyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine; -   N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(2,5-dimethyl-4-oxazolyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine     trihydrochloride monohydrate; -   4-[[3-[[5-(methoxymethyl)-2-furanyl]methyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-2-yl]methyl]-1-piperidineetanamine; -   N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(5-methyl-3-isoxazolyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine     trihydrochloride monohydrate; -   N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-{(2-methyl-5-oxazolyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine     monohydrate; -   N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(2-methyl-5-oxazolyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine     trihydrochloride monohydrate; -   N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-3-[(2,4-dimethyl-5-oxazolyl)methyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-amine; -   4-[[3-[(2-methyl-5-oxazolyl)methyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl]methyl]-1-piperazineethanamine; -   N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-(4-thiazolylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine; -   N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(5-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine     trihydrochloride; -   5-[[2-[[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl-2-oxazolemethanol     tetrahydrochloride dihydrate; -   N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(3-methyl-5-isoxazolyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine     trihydrochloride monohydrate; -   4-[[1-[[2-(dimethylamino)-4-thiazolyl]methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]methyl]-1-piperidineethanamine     tetrahydrochloride monohydrate 2-propanolate (1:1); -   ethyl     5-[[2-[[1-[2-[[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]amino]ethyl]-4-piperidinyl]amino]1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-2-methyl-4-oxazolecarboxylate; -   4-[[1-[(2-methyl-4-thiazolyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]methyl]-1     -piperidineetahnamine; -   N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(2-methyl-3-furanyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine; -   ethyl     4-[[3-[(3-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyridinyl)methyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-2-yl]amino]-1-piperidinecarboxylate; -   1,1-dimethylethyl     4-[[1-[[3-[2-(dimethylamino)ethoxy]-6-methyl-2-pyridinyl]methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]amino-1-piperidinecarboxylate; -   ethyl     4-[[1-[(3-amino-2-pyridinyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]amino]-1-piperidinecarboxylate;     and -   N-[1-(6-methyl-2-pyridinyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]-1-(3-pyridinylcarbonyl)-4-piperidinamine. -   the prodrugs, N-oxides, addition salts, quaternary amines, metal     complexes and stereochemically isomeric forms thereof.

Said group of compounds will be referred to hereinafter as the compounds of group (I″).

The term prodrug as used throughout this text means the pharmacologically acceptable derivatives, e.g. esters and amides, such that the resulting biotransformation product of the derivative is the active drug as defined in the compounds of formula (I). The reference by Goodman and Gilman (The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 8^(th) ed., McGraw-Hill, Int. Ed. 1992, “Biotransformation of Drugs”, p. 13-15) describing prodrugs generally, is hereby incorporated.

As used herein C₁₋₃alkyl as a group or part of a group defines straight or branched chain saturated hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl and the like; C₁₋₄alkyl as a group or part of a group defines straight or branched chain saturated hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as the group defined for C₁₋₃alkyl and butyl and the like; C₂₋₄alkyl as a group or part of a group defines straight or branched chain saturated hydrocarbon radicals having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms such as ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl and the like; C₁₋₆alkyl as a group or part of a group defines straight or branched chain saturated hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms such as the groups defined for C₁₋₄alkyl and pentyl, hexyl, 2-methylbutyl and the like; C₁₋₉alkyl as a group or part of a group defines straight or branched chain saturated hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 9 carbon atoms such as the groups defined for C₁₋₆alkyl and heptyl, octyl, nonyl, 2-methylhexyl, 2-methylheptyl and the like; C₁₋₁₀alkyl as a group or part of a group defines straight or branched chain saturated hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms such as the groups defined for C₁₋₉alkyl and decyl, 2-methylnonyl and the like. C₃₋₇cycloalkyl is generic to cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl; C₂₋₅alkanediyl defines bivalent straight and branched chain saturated hydrocarbon radicals having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms such as, for example, 1,2-ethanediyl, 1,3-propanediyl, 1,4-butanediyl, 1,2-propanediyl, 2,3-butanediyl, 1,5-pentanediyl and the like, C₂₋₅alkanediyl is substituted on C₁₋₁₀alkyl as provided for in the definition of R², it is meant to be substituted on one carbon atom thus forming a spiro moiety; C₁₋₄alkanediyl defines bivalent straight and branched chain saturated hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as, for example, methylene, 1,2-ethanediyl, 1,3-propanediyl, 1,4-butanediyl and the like; C₁₋₆alkanediyl is meant to include C₁₋₄alkanediyl and the higher homologues thereof having from 5 to 6 carbon atoms such as, for example, 1,5-pentanediyl, 1,6-hexanediyl and the like; C₁₋₁₀alkanediyl is meant to include C₁₋₆alkanediyl and the higher homologues thereof having from 7 to 10 carbon atoms such as, for example, 1,7-heptanediyl, 1,8-octanediyl, 1,9-nonanediyl, 1,10-decanediyl and the like.

As used herein before, the term (═O) forms a carbonyl moiety when attached to a carbon atom, a sulfoxide moiety when attached to a sulfur atom and a sulfonyl moiety when two of said terms are attached to a sulfur atom. The term (═N—OH) forms a hydroxylimine moiety when attached to a carbon atom.

The term halo is generic to fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo. As used in the foregoing and hereinafter, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl as a group or part of a group is defined as mono- or polyhalosubstituted C₁₋₆alkyl, in particular methyl with one or more fluoro atoms, for example, difluoromethyl or trifluoromethyl. In case more than one halogen atoms are attached to an alkyl group within the definition of polyhaloC₁₋₄alkyl, they may be the same or different.

When any variable (e.g. aryl, R², R³, R⁴, R^(5a), R^(5b) etc.) occurs more than one time in any constituent, each definition is independent.

It will be appreciated that some of the compounds of formula (I), (I′) or the compounds of group (I″) and their prodrugs, N-oxides, addition salts, quaternary amines, metal complexes and stereochemically isomeric forms may contain one or more centers of chirality and exist as stereochemically isomeric forms.

The term “stereochemically isomeric forms” as used hereinbefore defines all the possible stereoisomeric forms which the compounds of formula (I), (I′) or the compounds of group (I″), and their prodrugs, N-oxides, addition salts, quaternary amines, metal complexes or physiologically functional derivatives may possess. Unless otherwise mentioned or indicated, the chemical designation of compounds denotes the mixture of all possible stereochemically isomeric forms, said mixtures containing all diastereomers and enantiomers of the basic molecular structure as well as each of the individual isomeric forms of formula (I), (I′) or the compounds of group (I″) and their prodrugs, N-oxides, salts, solvates, quaternary amines, metal complexes substantially free, i.e. associated with less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, in particular less than 2% and most preferably less than 1% of the other isomers. Stereochemically isomeric forms of the compounds of formula (I), (I′) or the compounds of group (I″) are obviously intended to be embraced within the scope of this invention.

As used hereinafter the terms trans, cis, R or S are well-known by the person skilled in the art.

For some of the compounds of formula (I), (I′) or the compounds of group (I″), their prodrugs, N-oxides, salts, solvates, quaternary amines or metal complexes and the intermediates used in the preparation thereof, the absolute stereochemical configuration was not experimentally determined. In these cases the stereoisomeric form which was first isolated is designated as “A” and the second as “B”, without further reference to the actual stereochemical configuration. However, said “A” and “B” stereoisomeric forms can be unambiguously characterized by for instance their optical rotation in case “A” and “B” have an enantiomeric relationship. A person skilled in the art is able to determine the absolute configuration of such compounds using art-known methods such as, for example, X-ray diffraction. In case “A” and “B” are stereoisomeric mixtures, they can be further separated whereby the respective first fractions isolated are designated “A1” and “B1” and the second as “A2” and “B2”, without further reference to the actual stereochemical configuration.

For therapeutic use, salts of the compounds of formula (I), (I′) or the compounds of group (I″) are those wherein the counterion is pharmaceutically acceptable. However, salts of acids and bases which are non-pharmaceutically acceptable may also find use, for example, in the preparation or purification of a pharmaceutically acceptable compound. All salts, whether pharmaceutically acceptable or not are included within the ambit of the present invention.

The pharmaceutically acceptable acid and base addition salts as mentioned hereinabove are meant to comprise the therapeutically active non-toxic acid and base addition salt forms which the compounds of formula (I), (I′) or the compounds of group (I″) are able to form. The pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts can conveniently be obtained by treating the base form with such appropriate acid. Appropriate acids comprise, for example, inorganic acids such as hydrohalic acids, e.g. hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid, sulfuric, nitric, phosphoric and the like acids; or organic acids such as, for example, acetic, propanoic, hydroxyacetic, lactic, pyruvic, oxalic (i.e. ethanedioic), malonic, succinic (i.e. butanedioic acid), maleic, fumaric, malic (i.e. hydroxybutanedioic acid), tartaric, citric, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, cyclamic, salicylic, p-aminosalicylic, pamoic and the like acids.

Conversely said salt forms can be converted by treatment with an appropriate base into the free base form.

The compounds of formula (I), (I′) or the compounds of group (I″) containing an acidic proton may also be converted into their non-toxic metal or amine addition salt forms by treatment with appropriate organic and inorganic bases. Appropriate base salt forms comprise, for example, the ammonium salts, the alkali and earth alkaline metal salts, e.g. the lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium salts and the like, salts with organic bases, e.g. the benzathine, N-methyl-D-glucamine, hydrabamine salts, and salts with amino acids such as, for example, arginine, lysine and the like.

The term addition salt as used hereinabove also comprises the solvates which the compounds of formula (I), (I′) or the compounds of group (I″) as well as the salts thereof, are able to form. Such solvates are for example hydrates, alcoholates and the like.

The term “quaternary amine” as used hereinbefore defines the quaternary ammonium salts which the compounds of formula (I), (I′) or the compounds of group (I″) are able to form by reaction between a basic nitrogen of a compound of formula (I), (I′) or the compounds of group (I″) and an appropriate quaternizing agent, such as, for example, an optionally substituted alkylhalide, arylhalide or arylalkylhalide, e.g. methyliodide or benzyliodide. Other reactants with good leaving groups may also be used, such as alkyl trifluoromethanesulfonates, alkyl methanesulfonates, and alkyl p-toluenesulfonates. A quaternary amine has a positively charged nitrogen. Pharmaceutically acceptable counterions include chloro, bromo, iodo, trifluoroacetate and acetate. The counterion of choice can be introduced using ion exchange resins.

It will be appreciated that the compounds of formula (I), (I′) or the compounds of group (I″) may have metal binding, chelating, complexating properties and therefore may exist as metal complexes or metal chelates. Such metalated derivatives of the compounds of formula (I), (I′) or the compounds of group (I″) are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Some of the compounds of formula (I), (I′) or the compounds of group (I″) may also exist in their tautomeric form. Such forms although not explicitly indicated in the above formula are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

A special group of compounds are those compounds of formula (I) or (I′) wherein one or more of the following restrictions apply:

-   -Q is a radical of formula (b-1), (b-3), (b-4), (b-5), (b-6), (b-7)     or (b-8); -   —X² is a direct bond, CH₂ or C(═O); -   —R¹ is a monocyclic heterocycle selected from pyridyl, pyrazinyl,     pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl and pyrazolyl; and     each heterocycle may optionally be substituted with 1 or where     possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents selected from halo,     hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy,     C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl,     arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino,     mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl,     C₁₋₆alkyl-carbonylamino, C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—,     C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—,     halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—,     arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or     di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—; -   —R² is hydrogen, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl,     C₃₋₇cycloalkyl substituted with NHR⁶, or C₁₋₁₀alkyl substituted with     NHR⁶ and optionally with a second, third or fourth substituent     selected from amino, hydroxy, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, C₂₋₅alkanediyl,     piperidinyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonylamino,     aryl and aryloxy; -   —R³ is hydrogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy or arylC₁₋₆alkyl; -   —R⁶ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, formyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl or     C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl.

A special group of compounds are those compounds of formula (I′) wherein the following restrictions apply:

wherein X¹ is NR⁴, O, S, S(═O), S(═O)₂, CH₂, C(═O), C(═CH₂) or CH(CH₃), then R¹ is other than pyridyl, pyridyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, imidazolyl and imidazolyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl;

wherein X¹ is NR⁴, O, S, S(═O), S(═O)₂, CH₂, C(═O), C(═CH₂) or CH(CH₃), then R¹ is other than pyridyl, pyridyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, pyridyl substituted with 1 or 2 C₁₋₆alkyloxy, pyrazinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, imidazolyl and imidazolyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl;

wherein X¹ is NR⁴, O, S, S(═O), S(═O)₂, CH₂, C(═O), C(═CH₂) or CH(CH₃), then R¹ is other than pyridyl, pyridyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, imidazolyl and imidazolyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl;

then R¹ is other than pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, imidazolyl and imidazolyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl;

wherein X² is CH₂ or a direct bond, then R¹ is other than pyridyl, pyridyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, imidazolyl and imidazolyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl.

Or a special group of compounds are those compounds of formula (I′) wherein one of the following applies:

Q is a radical of formula (b-1); (b-2); (b-3); (b-5); (b-6); (b-7); (b-8); (b4) wherein u is 1,3,4 or 5; or (b-4) wherein u is 2, wherein Y¹ is —CH(NR²R⁴)—, wherein X¹ is CH(OH), CH(OCH₃), CH(SCH₃), CH(NR^(5a)R^(5b)), CH₂—NR⁴ or NR⁴—CH₂, and wherein R¹ is pyridyl or imidazolyl, each of said heterocycles substituted with 1 or where possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyl-oxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂-NR^(5c)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, or each of said heterocycles substituted with, where possible 2, 3 or 4 C₁₋₆alkyl groups; or wherein R¹ is pyrimidinyl or pyrazinyl, each of said heterocycles being substituted with I or where possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₄₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—; or wherein R¹ is pyrrolyl or pyrazolyl, each of said heterocycles optionally being substituted with 1 or where possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—; or

Q is a radical of formula (b-1); (b-2); (b-3); (b-4); (b-6); (b-7); (b-8); (b-5) wherein v is 3; or (b-5) wherein v is 2, wherein Y¹ is —CH(NR²R⁴)—, wherein X¹ is CH(OH), CH(OCH₃), CH(SCH₃), CH(NR^(5a)R^(5b)), CH₂—NR⁴ or NR⁴—CH₂, and wherein R¹ is pyrrolyl or imidazolyl, each of said heterocycles being substituted with 1 or where possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n) , halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, arylC₁₋₆C alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, or each of said heterocycles being substituted with, where possible 2, 3 or 4 C₁₋₆alkyl groups; or wherein R¹ is pyridyl being substituted with 1 or where possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n—, arylC) ₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, or pyridyl being substituted with, 2, 3 or 4 C₁₋₆alkyl groups or 3 or 4 C₁₋₆alkyloxy groups; or wherein R¹ is pyrazinyl being substituted with 1 or where possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-carbonylamino, C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—; or wherein R¹ is pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl or pyrazolyl, each of said heterocycles optionally being substituted with 1 or where possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-carbonylamino, C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d) HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—; or

Q is a radical of formula (b-1); (b-2); (b-3); (b4); (b-6); (b-7); (b-8); (b-5) wherein v is 2; or (b-5) wherein v is 3, wherein Y¹ is —CH(NR²R⁴)—, wherein X¹ is CH(OH), CH(OCH₃), CH(SCH₃), CH(NR^(5a)R^(5b)), CH₂—NR⁴ or NR⁴—CH₂, and wherein R¹ is pyridyl or imidazolyl, each of said heterocycles being substituted with 1 or where possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, or each of said heterocycles being substituted with, where possible 2, 3 or 4 C₁₋₆alkyl groups; or wherein R¹ is pyrimidinyl or pyrazinyl, each of said heterocycles being substituted with 1 or where possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—; or wherein R¹ is pyrrolyl or pyrazolyl, each of said heterocycles optionally being substituted with 1 or where possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—; or

Q is a radical of formula (b-1); (b-2); (b-3); (b-4); (b-5); (b-7); (b-8); (b-6) wherein v is 3; or (b-6) wherein v is 2, wherein Y¹ is —CH(NR²R⁴)—, wherein X² is a direct bond or C(═O), or X² is a direct bond, C(═O), NR⁴, C₁₋₄alkyl-NR⁴, NR⁴—C₁₋₄alkyl, wherein R¹ is pyridyl, pyrimidinyl or pyrazinyl, each of said heterocycles being substituted with 1 or where possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—; or wherein R¹ is imidazolyl being substituted with 1 or where possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-carbonylamino, C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂R^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, or imidazolyl being substituted with 2 or 3 C₁₋₆alkyl groups; or wherein R¹ is pyridazinyl, pyrrolyl, or pyrazolyl, each of said heterocycles optionally being substituted with 1 or where possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—; or

Q is a radical of formula (b-1); (b-2); (b-3); (b-4); (b-5); (b-7); (b-8); (b-6) wherein v is 2; or (b-6) wherein v is 3, Y¹ is —CH(NR²R⁴)—, wherein X² is C(═O) or X² is C(═O), NR⁴, C₁₋₄alkyl-NR⁴, NR⁴—C₁₋₄alkyl, and wherein R¹ is pyridyl or imidazolyl, each of said heterocycles being substituted with 1 or where possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, or each of said heterocycles being substituted with, where possible 2, 3 or 4 C₁₋₆alkyl groups; or wherein R¹ is pyrimidinyl or pyrazinyl, each of said heterocycles being substituted with 1 or where possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₁₀alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-carbonylamino, C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—; or wherein R¹ is pyrrolyl or pyrazolyl, each of said heterocycles optionally being substituted with 1 or where possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl-carbonylamino, C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—C₆akyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—.

Preferred compounds are

-   (±)-2-[[2-[[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-7-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol     tetrahydrochloride monohydrate; -   2-[[2-[[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl-3-pyridinol; -   (±)-N-[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]-6-chloro-1-[(1,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine     monohydrate; -   (±)-N-[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]-6-chloro-1-[(6-methyl-2-pyridinyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine; -   (±)-2-[[2-[(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol; -   N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[[3-(2-ethoxyethoxy)-6-methyl-2-pyridinyl]methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine     tetrahydrochloride dihydrate; -   (+)-N-[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(2-chloro-1,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine; -   (±)-N-[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]-6-chloro-1-[(2-chloro-1,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine; -   (±)-N-[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]-6-methyl-1[(6-methyl-2-pyridinyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine; -   (±)-N-[1-(2-aminopropyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(3,5,6-trimethylpyrazinyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine     tetrahydrochloride trihydrate; -   (±)-N-[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(3,5,6-trimethylpyrazinyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine; -   N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[[3-(2-chloroethoxy)-6-methyl-2-pyridinyl]methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine     trihydrochloride dihydrate; -   (±)-N-[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[3-amino-2-pyridinyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine     tetrahydrochloride trihydrate; -   the prodrugs, N-oxides, addition salts, quaternary amines, metal     complexes and stereochemically isomeric forms thereof.

Most preferred are

-   2-[[2-[[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-4-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol     tetrahydrochloride; -   (±)-2-[[2-[[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol; -   2-[[2-[[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-6-chloro-4-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol     tetrahydrochloride 2-propanolate (1:1); -   (±)-2-[[2-[[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-4-methyl-1H-benzimindazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol; -   (±)-2-[[2-[[1-(2-aminopropyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-4-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol     tetrahydrochloride trihydrate; -   2-[[2-[[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl)amino]-7-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol     tetrahydrochloride dihydrate; -   2-[[2-[[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-6-bromo-4-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol     tetrahydrochloride; -   2-[[2-[[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol     tetrahydrochloride monohydrate; -   (±)-2-[[2-[[1     -(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol;     and -   (±)-N-[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]-4-methyl-1-[(6-methyl-2-pyridinyl)-methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine. -   the prodrugs, N-oxides, addition salts, quaternary amines, metal     complexes and stereochemically isomeric forms thereof.

In general, compounds of formula (I′) can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (II-a) or (II-b), wherein P represents a protecting group, such as, for example C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl, or those protecting groups mentioned in Chapter 7 of ‘Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis’ by T Greene and P. Wuyts (John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1991), with an intermediate of formula (III), wherein W₁ is a suitable leaving group, such as a halo atom, e.g. chloro, bromo, in the presence of a suitable base, such as, e.g. sodium hydride, disodium carbonate. Said reaction can be performed in a reaction-inert solvent, such as N,N-dimethylformamide.

Compounds of formula (I′) wherein, in the definition of Q, R² or at least one R⁶ substituent is hydrogen, said Q being represented by H-Q₁, and said compounds being represented by formula (I′-a), can be prepared by deprotecting an intermediate of formula (TV) wherein P represents a protecting group, for example C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl, benzyl, or those protecting groups mentioned in Chapter 7 of ‘Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis’ by T Greene and P. Wuyts (John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1991).

When P represents, for example, C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl, said deprotection reaction can be performed by, for example, acidic hydrolysis in the presence of a suitable acid, such as hydrobromic, hydrochloric, sulfuric, acetic, or trifluoroacetic acid or a mixture of said acids, or by alkaline hydrolysis in the presence of a suitable base, such as, for example potassium hydroxide, in a suitable solvent such as water, alcohol, a mixture of water-alcohol, methylene chloride. Suitable alcohols are methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol and the like. In order to enhance the rate of the reaction, it is advantageous to heat the reaction mixture, in particular up to the reflux temperature. Alternatively, when P represents, for example, benzyl, the deprotection reaction can be performed by catalytic hydrogenation in the presence of hydrogen and an appropriate catalyst in a reaction-inert solvent. A suitable catalyst in the above reaction is, for example, platinum-on-charcoal, palladium-on-charcoal, and the like. An appropriate reaction-inert solvent for said reaction is, for example, an alcohol, e.g. methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol and the like, an ester, e.g. ethylacetate and the like, an acid, e.g. acetic acid and the like.

The catalytic hydrogenation reaction described above can also be used to prepare a compound of formula (I′-a) by deprotecting and reducing an intermediate of formula (IV) wherein Q₁ comprises an unsaturated bond, said Q₁ being represented by Q_(1a)(CH═CH), and said intermediate being represented by formula (IV-a).

Compounds of formula (I′) wherein, in the definition of Q, both R⁶ substituents are hydrogen or R² and R⁴ are both hydrogen, said Q being represented by H₂N-Q₂, and said compounds being represented by formula (I′-a-1), can also be prepared by deprotecting an intermediate of formula (V).

Said deprotection reaction can be performed in the presence of a suitable base such as, for example hydrazine, or in the presence of a suitable acid, such as hydrochloric acid and the like, in a suitable solvent, such as an alcohol, acetic acid and the like.

Compounds of formula (I′-a-1) can also be prepared by deprotecting an intermediate of formula (VI) according to the procedure described for the preparation of compounds of formula (I′-a).

Compounds of formula (I′-a) or (I′-a-1), wherein Q₁ or Q₂ comprise a hydroxy substituent, said Q₁ or Q₂ being represented by Q_(1′)(OH) or Q₂′(OH), and said compounds being represented by formula (I′-a-2) or (I′-a-1-1), can be prepared by deprotecting an intermediate of formula (VII) or (VIII) as described hereinabove for the preparation of compounds of formula (I′-a).

Compounds of formula (I′) wherein, in the definition of Q, both R⁶ substituents are hydrogen or R² and R⁴ are both hydrogen, and the carbon adjacent to the nitrogen carrying the R⁶ or R² and R⁴ substituents, contains at least one hydrogen, said Q being represented by H₂N-Q₃H, and said compounds being represented by formula (I′-a-1-2) can also be obtained by reductive animation of intermediates of formula (IX) in the presence of a suitable amination reagent, such as, for example, ammonia, hydroxylamine, or benzylamine, and in the presence of a suitable reducing agent, e.g. hydrogen, and an appropriate catalyst. An appropriate catalyst in the above reaction is, for example, platinum-on-charcoal, palladium-on-charcoal, rhodium-on-Al₂O₃, and the like, optionally in the presence of a catalyst poison, such as a thiophene solution. A suitable reaction-inert solvent for the above reaction is, for example, an alcohol, e.g. methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol and the like.

Compounds of formula (I′), wherein Q comprises a —CH₂NH₂ moiety, said Q being represented by H₂N—CH₂-Q₄, and said compounds being represented by formula (I′-a-1-3) can be prepared by reducing an intermediate of formula (X).

Said reduction can be performed with a suitable reducing agent, such as lithium aluminium hydride or hydrogen, optionally in the presence of a suitable catalyst, such as Raney Nickel. A suitable solvent for the above reaction is, for example, tetrahydrofuran, or a solution of ammonia in an alcohol. Suitable alcohols are methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol and the like. Said reduction reaction performed in a solution of ammonia in an alcohol can also be used to prepare compounds of formula (I′-a-1-3), wherein R¹ is substituted with C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, said R¹ being represented by R^(1′)—C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, and said compounds being represented by formula (I′-a-1-3-1) starting from an intermediate of formula (X-a).

Compounds of formula (I′), wherein Q comprises a —CH₂CHOH—CH₂—NH₂ moiety, said Q being represented by H₂N—CH₂—CHOH-CH₂-Q₄′, and said compounds being represented by formula (I′-a-1-3-2), can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XI) with ammonia in the presence of a suitable reaction-inert solvent, such as an alcohol, e.g. methanol.

Compounds of formula (I′), wherein, in the definition of Q, R² or one R⁶ substituent is formyl, said Q being represented by H—C(═O)-Q₁, and said compounds being represented by formula (I′-b), can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XII) with formic acid, formamide and ammonia.

Compounds of formula (I′), wherein, in the definition of Q, R² is other than hydrogen, said R² being represented by R^(2a), R⁴ is hydrogen, and the carbon atom adjacent to the nitrogen atom carrying the R² and R⁴ substituents, carries also at least one hydrogen atom, said Q being represented by R^(2a)—NH—HQ₅, and said compounds being represented by formula (I′-c), can be prepared by reductive amination of an intermediate of formula (XIII) with an intermediate of formula (XIV) in the presence of a suitable reducing agent, such as hydrogen, and a suitable catalyst, such as palladium-on-charcoal, platinum-on-charcoal, and the like. A suitable reaction-inert solvent for the above reaction is, for example, an alcohol, e.g. methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol and the like.

Compounds of formula (I′-c), wherein R^(2a) represents C₁₋₁₀alkyl substituted with N(R⁶)₂ and with hydroxy, and the carbon atom carrying the hydroxy, carries also two hydrogen atoms, said R^(2a) being represented by [(C₁₋₉alkyl)CH₂OH]—N(R⁶)₂, and said compounds being represented by formula (I′-c-1), can be prepared by reducing an intermediate of formula (XV) in the presence of a suitable reducing agent, such as lithium aluminium hydride, in a suitable reaction-inert solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran.

Compounds of formula (I′) wherein, in the definition of Q, R² or one R⁶ substituent is hydrogen, said Q being represented by H-Q₁, and wherein R¹ is a monocyclic heterocycle substituted with 1 or more substituents selected from hydroxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, or HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, said substituents being represented by formula A-OH, said R¹ being represented by R^(1a)-(A-OH)_(w), with w being the amount of substituents on R^(1a) ranging from 1 to 4, and said compounds being represented by formula (I′-d), can be prepared by deprotecting an intermediate of formula (XVI) with a suitable acid, such as hydrochloric acid and the like, optionally in the presence of a suitable solvent, such as an alcohol. Suitable alcohols are methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol and the like.

Alternatively, one protecting group may also protect more than one substituent of R^(1a), said protecting group being represented by P₁, as represented by formula (XVI-a). The two ways of protecting the substituents of R^(1a), i.e. with a separate, as in formula (XVI), or a combined, as in formula (XVI-a), protecting group, may also be combined in the same intermediate, as represented by formula (XVI-b).

Compounds of formula (I′), wherein Q is a radical of formula (b-2), said compounds being represented by formula (I′-e), can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XVII) with an intermediate of formula (XVII) in the presence of sodium cyanide and a suitable reaction-inert solvent, such as an alcohol, e.g. methanol and the like.

Compounds of formula (I′), wherein in the definition of Q, X² is C₂₋₄alkyl-NR⁴, said Q being represented by Q₆N—CH₂—C₁₋₃alkyl-NR⁴, and said compounds being represented by formula (I′-p), can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XIX) with an intermediate of formula (XX) in the presence of isopropyl titanate (IV) and a suitable reducing agent, such as NaBH₃CN, and in the presence of a suitable reaction-inert solvent, such as methylene chloride or an alcohol, e.g. ethanol.

Compounds of formula (I′) may be converted into each other following art-known functional group transformation reactions, comprising those described hereinafter.

The compounds of formula (I′) may be converted to the corresponding N-oxide forms following art-known procedures for converting a trivalent nitrogen into its N-oxide form. Said N-oxidation reaction may generally be carried out by reacting the starting material of formula (I′) with an appropriate organic or inorganic peroxide. Appropriate inorganic peroxides comprise, for example, hydrogen peroxide, alkali metal or earth alkaline metal peroxides, e.g. sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide; appropriate organic peroxides may comprise peroxy acids such as, for example, benzenecarboperoxoic acid or halo substituted benzenecarboperoxoic acid, e.g. 3-chlorobenzenecarbo-peroxoic acid, peroxoalkanoic acids, e.g. peroxoacetic acid, alkylhydroperoxides, e.g. t.butyl hydro-peroxide. Suitable solvents are, for example, water, lower alcohols, e.g. ethanol and the like, hydrocarbons, e.g. toluene, ketones, e.g. 2-butanone, halogenated hydrocarbons, e.g. dichloromethane, and mixtures of such solvents.

Compounds of formula (I′), wherein R¹ is monocyclic heterocycle substituted with C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, said R¹ being represented by R^(1′)—C(═O)OC₁₋₆alkyl, and said compounds being represented by formula (I′-f), can be prepared by esterification of a compound of formula (I′-g) in the presence of a suitable alcohol, e.g. methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, hexanol and the like, and in the presence of a suitable acid, such as hydrochloric acid and the like.

Compounds of formula (I′-a) may be converted into compounds of formula (I′), wherein, in the definition of Q, R² or at least one R⁶ substituent is other than hydrogen, said R² or R⁶being represented by Z₁, said Q being represented by Z₁-Q₁, and said compounds being represented by formula (I′-h), by reaction with a reagent of formula (XXI), wherein W₂ is a suitable leaving group, such as a halo atom, e.g. bromo, or 4-methylbenzenesulphonate, in the presence of a suitable base, such as, for example disodium carbonate, dipotassium carbonate, sodium hydroxide and the like, in a reaction-inert solvent, e.g. 3-methyl-2-butanone, acetonitrile, N,N-dimethylformamide.

Compounds of formula (I′-h), wherein, in the definition of Z₁, R² is CH₂—C₁₋₉alkyl substituted with N(R⁶)₂, said compounds being represented by formula (I′-h-i), can also be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (I′-a) wherein, in the definition of H-Q₁, R² is hydrogen, said H-Q₁ being represented by H-Q_(1b), and said compounds being represented by formula (I′-a-3), with an intermediate of formula (XXII), in the presence of a suitable reducing agent, such as sodium cyanoborohydride, in a suitable reaction-inert solvent, such as an alcohol.

Compounds of formula (I′-h), wherein Z₁ comprises formyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl, or C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, said Z₁ being represented by Z_(1a), and said compounds being represented by formula (I′-h-2), can be converted into compounds of formula (I′-a), by acidic hydrolysis in the presence of a suitable acid, such as hydrobromic, hydrochloric, sulfuric, acetic, or trifluoroacetic acid or a mixture of said acids, or by alkaline hydrolysis in the presence of a suitable base, such as, for example potassium hydroxide, in a suitable solvent such as water, alcohol, a mixture of water-alcohol, methylene chloride. Suitable alcohols are methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, sec. butanol and the like. In order to enhance the rate of the reaction, it is advantageous to work at elevated temperatures.

Compounds of formula (I′-b) can be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (I′-a) with formic acid.

Compounds of formula (I′) wherein R¹ is monocyclic heterocycle substituted with hydroxy, said R¹ being represented by HO—R¹, and said compounds being represented by formula (I′-i), can be prepared by deprotecting a compound of formula (I′-j), wherein R¹ is monocyclic heterocycle substituted with C₁₋₆alkyloxy or arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, said C₁₋₆alkyl or arylC₁₋₆alkyl being represented by Z₂, and said R¹ being represented by Z₂-O—R^(1′). Said deprotection can be performed in a reaction-inert solvent, such as, for example methylene chloride, in the presence of a suitable deprotecting agent, e.g. tribromoborane.

Compounds of formula (I′) wherein R¹ is monocyclic heterocycle substituted with halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n), said compounds being represented by formula (I′-k), can be converted into a compound of formula (I′-1-1) or (I′-1-2) by reaction with the appropriate amine of formula (XXIII) or (XIV) in a suitable reaction-inert solvent, e.g. tetrahydrofuran.

Compounds of formula (I′), wherein R¹ is monocyclic heterocycle substituted with halo, said compounds being represented by formula (I′-m) can be converted into compounds of formula (I′) by reaction with 1-butanethiol in the presence of palladium-on-charcoal and CaO in a suitable reaction-inert solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran.

Compounds of formula (I′) wherein a hydrogen atom in the radicals of formula (a-1), (a-2), (a-3), (a-4) or (a-5) is replaced by nitro, said compounds being represented by formula (I′-n) may be reduced to a compound of formula (T-o) in the presence of a suitable reducing agent, such as hydrogen, in the presence of a suitable catalyst, such as platinum-on-charcoal, and optionally in the presence of a suitable catalyst poison, e.g. a thiophene solution. The reaction may be performed in a suitable reaction-inert solvent, such as an alcohol.

The reactions described hereinabove for the preparation of the compounds of formula (I′) can also be used to prepare the compounds of the group (I″).

In the following paragraphs, there are described several methods of preparing the intermediates in the foregoing preparations. A number of intermediates and starting materials are commercially available or are known compounds which may be prepared according to conventional reaction procedures generally known in the art or analogous to the procedures described in EP-A-0,005,318 , EP-A-0,099,139 , EP-A-0,151,824, EP-A-0,151,826, EP-A-0,232,937, EP-A-0,295,742, EP-A-0,297,661, EP-A-0,539,420, EP-A-0,539,421, U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,704, U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,569.

In the foregoing and the following preparations, the reaction mixture is worked up following art-known methods and the reaction product is isolated and, if necessary, further purified.

Intermediates of formula (III) can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XXV) with a suitable leaving group, i.e. W₁, introducing agent, e.g. 1-halo-2,5-pyrrolidinedione, in the presence of dibenzoyl peroxide, in a reaction-inert solvent, e.g. tetrachloromethane.

Intermediates of formula (XXV), wherein R¹ is monocyclic heterocycle substituted with chloro, said R¹ being represented by Cl—R^(1′) and said intermediates being represented by formula (XXV-a), can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XXVI), wherein (O═)R^(1b)H is defined as a carbonyl derivative of R^(1′) wherein one carbon or nitrogen, adjacent to the carbonyl, carries at least one hydrogen, with phosphorus oxychloride. Intermediates of formula (XXVI) may also react as their enol tautomeric forms.

Intermediates of formula (III) wherein W₁ is chloro, which is attached to a carbon atom carrying at least one hydrogen, said G being represented by G₁H, and said intermediates being represented by formula (III-a), can also be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XXVII) with thionylchloride in a reaction-inert solvent, e.g. methylene chloride.

Intermediates of formula (XXVII) can be prepared by reducing an intermediate of formula (XXVIII) in a reaction-inert solvent, e.g. an alcohol, in the presence of a suitable reducing agent, e.g. sodium borohydride.

Alternatively, intermediates of formula (XXVII) can also be prepared by deprotecting an intermediate of formula (X═X), wherein P is a suitable protecting group, e.g. C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, in a reaction-inert solvent, such as an alcohol, in the presence of a suitable base, e.g. sodium hydroxide.

Intermediates of formula (XXVIII), wherein G₁(═O) is CH(═O), said intermediates being represented by formula (XXVIII-a), can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XXX), wherein W₃ is a suitable leaving group, such as a halo atom, e.g. bromo, with N,N-dimethylformamide in the presence of butyllithium in a reaction-inert solvent, e.g. tetrahydrofuran, diethylether or a mixture thereof.

Intermediates of formula (IV) can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XXXI-a) or (XXXI-b), wherein P represents a suitable protecting group, such as, for example, C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl, with an intermediate of formula (III) according to the reaction described for the general preparation of compounds of formula (I′).

Intermediates of formula (IV) can also be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XXXI-a) with an intermediate of formula (XXXII) that has reacted with methanesulfonyl chloride, in the presence of a suitable base, such as sodium hydride, and in the presence of a suitable reaction-inert solvent, e.g. N,N-dimethylformamide.

Intermediates of formula (IV) can also be prepared by a cyclization reaction of an intermediate of formula (XXXIII in a reaction-inert solvent, e.g. an alcohol or N,N-dimethylformamide, in the presence of mercury oxide and sulphur.

Intermediates of formula (IV) wherein Q₁ comprises an unsaturated bond, said Q₁ being represented by Q_(1a)(CH═CH), and said intermediates by formula (IV-a), can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XXXIV) with an intermediate of formula (III) in the presence of a suitable base, such as dipotassium carbonate.

Intermediates of formula (IV) wherein, in the definition of Q₁, the X¹ or X² moieties in the radicals of formula (b-1) to (b-8) represent NH, said Q₁ being represented by Q_(1c)-NH, and said intermediates by formula (IV-b), may also be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XXXV) with an intermediate of formula (XXXVI).

Intermediates of formula (IV) wherein R¹ is monocyclic heterocycle substituted with amino or mono- or di(C)-₆alkyl)amino, said R¹ being represented by R^(5a)R^(5b)N—R^(1′), wherein R^(5a) and R^(5b) are defined as described hereinabove, and said intermediates being represented by formula (IV-c), can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XXXVII) with an appropriate amine, represented by formula (XXXVIII), in the 20 presence of an appropriate catalyst, e.g. palladium, and (R)-(+)-2,2′-bis(diphenyl-phosphino)-1,1′-binaphtyl, in a suitable reaction-inert solvent, e.g. tetrahydrofuran.

Intermediates of formula (IV) wherein R¹ is monocyclic heterocycle substituted with C(═O)—NR^(5a)R^(1b), wherein R^(5a) and R^(5b) are defined as described hereinabove, said R¹ being represented by R^(5a)R^(5b)N—C(═O)—R^(1′), and said intermediates being represented by formula (IV-d), can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XXXVII) with an appropriate amine, represented by formula (XXXVIII), under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide, in the presence of a suitable catalyst, e.g. palladium (II) acetate, and 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane, in a suitable reaction-inert solvent, e.g. tetrahydrofuran.

Intermediates of formula (IV) wherein P-Q₁ comprises C₁₋₁₀alkyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl substituted with NR⁶—P, said C₁₋₁₀alkyl or C₃₋₇cycloalkyl being represented by Z₃, said P-Q₁ being represented by P—N R⁶-Z₃-Q_(1b), and said intermediates being represented by formula (IV-e), can be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (I′-a-3) with an intermediate of formula (XXXIX), wherein W₄ represents a suitable leaving group, such as p-toluenesulphonate. Said reaction can be performed in a reaction-inert solvent, e.g. acetonitrile, in the presence of a suitable base, e.g. dipotassium carbonate.

Intermediates of formula (IV-e), wherein R⁶ is hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, said intermediates being represented by formula (IV-e-1), can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XL) with an intermediate of formula (XLI) in the presence of a suitable base, e.g. dipotassium carbonate, and a suitable solvent, e.g. acetonitrile.

Intermediates of formula (XXXI-a) or (XXXI-b) can be prepared by protecting an intermediate of formula (XLZII) with a suitable protecting group, such as, for example, C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl, in a reaction-inert solvent, such as methylene chloride or an alcohol, e.g. methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol and the like, in the presence of a suitable reagent, e.g. diC₁₋₄alkyldicarbonate, and optionally in the presence of a suitable base, e.g. sodium acetate.

Alternatively, intermediates of formula (XXXI-a) or (XXXI-b) can be converted into an intermediate of formula (XLII) by reaction with a suitable acid, such as hydrochloric acid or hydrobromic acid and the like or mixtures thereof, in the presence of a suitable solvent, e.g. water.

Intermediates of formula (XXXI-a) or (XXXI-b), wherein in the definition of Q₁, the X¹ or X² moieties in the radicals of formula (b-1) to (b-8) represent NH, said Q₁ being represented by Q_(1c)NH, and said intermediates by formula (XXXI-a-1) or (XXXI-b-1), can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XLIII-a) or (XLIII-b), wherein W₅ represents a suitable leaving group, such as for example a halo atom, e.g. chloro, with an intermediate of formula (XLIV).

Intermediates of formula (XLIII-a) or (XLIII-b) can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XLV-a) or (XLV-b) with H₂P(═O)(W₅)₃ in the presence of a suitable acid, e.g. hydrochloric acid.

Intermediates of formula (XLV-a) or (XLV-b) can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XLVI-a) or (XLVI-b) with an intermediate of formula

Intermediates of formula (XXXI-a) can also be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XLVI-a) with P-Q₁-C(═NH)—O—CH₂—CH₃ in a reaction-inert solvent, such as an alcohol.

Intermediates of formula (XXXIII) can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (XLVIII) with an intermediate of formula P-Q₁=C═S, which is synthesized according to the procedures described in EP 0005318, in a reaction-inert solvent, such as an alcohol, e.g. ethanol. To increase the reaction rate, the reaction may be performed at elevated temperatures.

Intermediates of formula (XLVIII) can be obtained by reducing an intermediate of formula (IL) in a reaction-inert solvent, e.g. an alcohol, in the presence of a suitable reducing agent, e.g. hydrogen, and an appropriate catalyst, e.g. Raney Nickel.

Intermediates of formula (IL) can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (L) with an intermediate of formula (LI), in which W₆ represents a suitable leaving group, such as a halo atom, e.g. chloro. The reaction may be performed in a reaction-inert solvent, e.g. acetonitrile, in the presence of a suitable base, e.g. dipotassium carbonate.

Intermediates of formula (L) can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (LII) with a suitable acid, such as hydrochloric acid, in the presence of a suitable solvent, e.g. an alcohol, e.g. ethanol.

Intermediates of formula (LII) can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (III) with NaN[C(═O)H]₂.

Intermediates of formula (IL) can also be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (LI) with an intermediate of formula (LIII) (J. Org. Chem., 25, p 1138, 1960) in a reaction-inert solvent, e.g. N,N-dimethylformamide, in the presence of an appropriate base, e.g. sodium hydride.

Intermediates of formula (XXXIV) can be prepared by dehydrating an intermediate of formula (LIV) with a suitable acid, such as sulfuric acid.

Intermediates of formula (LIV) wherein, in the definition of Q_(1a), the X¹ or X² moieties are CH₂, said Q_(1a) being represented by Q_(1a′), and said intermediates being represented by formula (LIV-a), can be prepared by reacting a carbonyl moiety of formula (LV) with an intermediate of formula (LVI) in the presence of N,N-diisopropylamine and butyl lithium, in a suitable reaction-inert solvent, e.g. tetrahydrofuran.

Intermediates of formula (V) can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (LVII) with 1H-isoindole-1,3 (2H)-dione in the presence of triphenylphosphine and diethyl azodicarboxylate.

Intermediates of formula (V) may also be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (LVIII) with 1H-isoindole-1,3 (2H)-dione in the presence of a suitable base, such as sodium hydride, and a suitable solvent, such as N,N-dimethylformamide.

Intermediates of formula (LVIII) can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (LVII) with an intermediate of formula (LIX), wherein W₇ represents a suitable leaving group, such as a halo atom, e.g. chloro, in the presence of a suitable base, such as N,N-diethyl-ethanamine, and a suitable solvent, such as methylene chloride.

Intermediates of formula (V), wherein in the definition of Q₂, R² is C₁₋₁₀alkyl, said Q₂ being represented by C₁₋₁₀alkyl-Q_(1b), and said intermediates by formula (V-a), can be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (I′-a-3) with an intermediate of formula (LX), wherein W₈ is a suitable leaving group, such as a halo atom, e.g. chloro, in the presence of a suitable base, such as dipotassium carbonate, and a suitable solvent, such as acetonitrile.

Intermediates of formula (LVII) wherein, in the definition of Q₂, the carbon atom carrying the hydroxy, also carries two hydrogen atoms, said HO-Q₂ being represented by HO—CH₂-Q_(2′), and said intermediates being represented by formula (LVII-a), can be prepared by reducing an intermediate of formula (LXI) in the presence of a suitable reducing agent, such as lithium aluminium hydride, in a suitable reaction-inert solvent, e.g. tetrahydrofuran.

Intermediates of formula (LVII), wherein, in the definition of Q₂, the carbon atom carrying the hydroxy, carries also at least one hydrogen, said HO-Q₂ being represented by HO-Q₃H, and said intermediates being represented by formula (LVII-b), can be prepared by reducing an intermediate of formula (IX) with a suitable reducing agent, e.g. sodium borohydride, in a reaction-inert solvent, e.g. an alcohol.

Intermediates of formula (VI) wherein, in the definition of Q₂, R² is C₁₋₁₀alkyl substituted with N(P)₂ and the carbon atom adjacent to the nitrogen atom carrying the R² substituent carries also at least one hydrogen atom, said Q₂ being represented by (P)₂—N—C₁₋₁₀alkyl-NH-Q_(2a)H, and said intermediates being represented by formula (VI-a), can be prepared by reductive amination of an intermediate of formula (LXII) with an intermediate of formula (LXIII) in the presence of a suitable reductive agent, such as hydrogen, and a suitable catalyst, such as palladium-on-charcoal, platinum-on-charcoal, and the like, and optionally in the presence of a suitable catalyst poison, such as a thiophene solution. A suitable solvent in this reaction is a reaction-inert solvent, such as an alcohol.

Intermediates of formula (LXII) can be prepared by deprotecting an intermediate of formula (LXIV) in the presence of a suitable acid, such as hydrochloric acid and the like, in a suitable solvent, e.g. water.

Intermediates of formula (IX) may be prepared by deprotecting an intermediate of formula (LXV) in the presence of a suitable acid, e.g. hydrochloric acid and the like.

Intermediates of formula (LXV) can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (LXVI) with an intermediate of formula (III) in the presence of a suitable base, e.g. dipotassium carbonate, in a suitable reaction-inert solvent, e.g. acetonitrile.

Intermediates of formula (LXVI) wherein, in the definition of Q₃, the X¹ or X² moiety of the radicals of formula (b-1) to (b-8) represent NH, said Q₃ being represented by Q_(3′)-NH, and said intermediates being represented by formula (LXVI-a), may be prepared by cyclizing an intermediate of formula (LXVII) in the presence of mercury oxide and sulphur, in a suitable reaction-inert solvent, e.g. an alcohol.

Intermediates of formula (LXVII) can be prepared by reducing an intermediate of formula (LXVIII) in the presence of a suitable reducing agent, such as hydrogen, in the presence of a suitable catalyst, such as palladium-on-charcoal, platinum-on-charcoal and the like, in a suitable solvent, e.g. a mixture of ammonia in alcohol. Suitable alcohols are methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol and the like.

Intermediates of formula (LXVIII) can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (LXIX) with an intermediate of formula (LXX) in a suitable reaction-inert solvent, e.g. ethanol.

Intermediates of formula (IX), wherein, in the definition of Q₃, R² comprises C₁₋₁₀alkyl, said Q₃ being represented by C₁₋₁₀alkyl-Q_(1b), and said intermediates being represented by formula (IX-a), can be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (I′-a-3) with a reagent of formula (LXI), wherein (O═)C₁₋₁₀alkyl represents a carbonyl derivative of C₁₋₁₀alkyl and wherein W₉ is a suitable leaving group, such as a halo atom, e.g. bromo, in a reaction-inert solvent, e.g. acetonitrile, in the presence of a suitable base, e.g. dipotassium carbonate.

Intermediates of formula (X) wherein Q₄ comprises C₁₋₉alkyl, said Q₄ being represented by C₁₋₉alkyl-Q_(1b), and said intermediates being represented by formula (X-a), can be 15 prepared by reacting a compound of formula (I′-a-3) with a reagent of formula (LXXII), wherein W₁₀ represents a suitable leaving group, such as a halo atom, e.g. chloro, in a reaction-inert solvent, e.g. 3-methyl-2-butanone, in the presence of a suitable base, e.g. dipotassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and the like.

Intermediates of formula (X), wherein NC-Q₄ represents NC—(C₁₋₉alkyl)(R⁴)N—C(═O)—Alk-X¹, said intermediates being represented by formula (X-b), can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (LXXII) with an intermediate of formula (LXXIV) in the presence of di-1H-imidazol-2-yl-methanone, a suitable base, such as N,N-diethyl-ethanamine, and a suitable solvent, such as methylene chloride.

Intermediates of formula (XI), wherein Q₄ represents Q_(1b), said intermediates being represented by formula (XI-a), can be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (I′-a-3) with an intermediate of formula (LXXV), wherein W₁₁ represents a suitable leaving group, such as a halo atom, e.g. chloro, in the presence of a suitable base, such as disodium carbonate, and in the presence of a suitable solvent, such as 3-methyl-2-butanone.

Intermediates of formula (XIX) can be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (LXXVI) with a suitable acid, such as hydrochloric acid.

Pure stereochemically isomeric forms of the compounds of formula (I) may be obtained by the application of art-known procedures. Diastereomers may be separated by physical methods such as selective crystallization and chromatographic techniques, e.g., counter-current distribution, liquid chromatography and the like.

The compounds of formula (I) as prepared in the hereinabove described processes are generally racemic mixtures of enantiomers which can be separated from one another following art-known resolution procedures. The racemic compounds of formula (I) which are sufficiently basic or acidic may be converted into the corresponding diastereomeric salt forms by reaction with a suitable chiral acid, respectively chiral base.

Said diastereomeric salt forms are subsequently separated, for example, by selective or fractional crystallization and the enantiomers are liberated therefrom by alkali or acid. An alternative manner of separating the enantiomeric forms of the compounds of formula (I) involves liquid chromatography, in particular liquid chromatography using a chiral stationary phase. Said pure stereochemically isomeric forms may also be derived from the corresponding pure stereochemically isomeric forms of the appropriate starting materials, provided that the reaction occurs stereospecifically. Preferably if a specific stereoisomer is desired, said compound will be synthesized by stereospecific methods of preparation. These methods will advantageously employ enantiomerically pure starting materials.

The compounds of formula (I), (I′) or the compounds of group (I″) or any subgroup thereof, show antiviral properties. Viral infections treatable using the compounds and methods of the present invention include those infections brought on by ortho- and paramyxoviruses and in particular by human and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

The in vitro antiviral activity against RSV of the present compounds was tested in a test as described in the experimental part of the description, and may also be demonstrated in a virus yield reduction assay. The in vivo antiviral activity against RSV of the present compounds may be demonstrated in a test model using cotton rats as described in Wyde et al. (Antiviral Research (1998), 38, 31-42).

Due to their antiviral properties, particularly their anti-RSV properties, the compounds of formula (I), (I′) or the compounds of group (I″) or any subgroup thereof, their prodrugs, N-oxides, addition salts, quaternary amines, metal complexes and stereochemically isomeric forms, are useful in the treatment of individuals experiencing a viral infection, particularly a RSV infection, and for the prophylaxis of these infections. In general, the compounds of the present invention may be useful in the treatment of warm-blooded animals infected with viruses, in particular the respiratory syncytial virus.

The compounds of formula (I′) or the compounds of group (I″) or any subgroup thereof may therefore be used as medicines. In particular, the compounds of formula (I), (I′) or the compounds of group (I″) may be used in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or the prevention of viral infections, especially RSV infections. The use as a medicine or method of treatment comprises the systemic administration to viral infected subjects or to subjects susceptible to viral infections of an amount effective to combat the conditions associated with the viral infection, in particular the RSV infection.

The compounds of the present invention or any subgroup thereof may be formulated into various pharmaceutical forms for administration purposes. As appropriate compositions there may be cited all compositions usually employed for systemically administering drugs. To prepare the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention, an effective amount of the particular compound, optionally in addition salt form or as metal complex, as the active ingredient is combined in intimate admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which carrier may take a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration. These pharmaceutical compositions are desirable in unitary dosage form suitable, particularly, for administration orally, rectally, percutaneously, or by parenteral injection. For example, in preparing the compositions in oral dosage form, any of the usual pharmaceutical media may be employed such as, for example, water, glycols, oils, alcohols and the like in the case of oral liquid preparations such as suspensions, syrups, elixirs, emulsions and solutions; or solid carriers such as starches, sugars, kaolin, lubricants, binders, disintegrating agents and the like in the case of powders, pills, capsules, and tablets. Because of their ease in administration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral dosage unit forms, in which case solid pharmaceutical carriers are obviously employed. For parenteral compositions, the carrier will usually comprise sterile water, at least in large part, though other ingredients, for example, to aid solubility, may be included. Injectable solutions, for example, may be prepared in which the carrier comprises saline solution, glucose solution or a mixture of saline and glucose solution. Injectable suspensions may also be prepared in which case appropriate liquid carriers, suspending agents and the like may be employed. Also included are solid form preparations which are intended to be converted, shortly before use, to liquid form preparations. In the compositions suitable for percutaneous administration, the carrier optionally comprises a penetration enhancing agent and/or a suitable wetting agent, optionally combined with suitable additives of any nature in minor proportions, which additives do not introduce a significant deleterious effect on the skin.

The compounds of the present invention may also be administered via oral inhalation or insufflation by means of methods and formulations employed in the art for administration via this way. Thus, in general the compounds of the present invention may be administered to the lungs in the form of a solution, a suspension or a dry powder, a solution being preferred. Any system developed for the delivery of solutions, suspensions or dry powders via oral inhalation or insufflation are suitable for the administration of the present compounds.

Thus, the present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition adapted for administration by inhalation or insufflation through the mouth comprising a compound of formula (I′) or a compound of the group (I″) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Preferably, the compounds of the present invention are administered via inhalation of a solution in nebulized or aerosolized doses.

It is especially advantageous to formulate the aforementioned pharmaceutical compositions in unit dosage form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. Unit dosage form as used herein refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active ingredient calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier. Examples of such unit dosage forms are tablets (including scored or coated tablets), capsules, pills, powder packets, suppositories, wafers, injectable solutions or suspensions and the like, and segregated multiples thereof.

In general it is contemplated that an antivirally effective daily amount would be from 0.01 mg/kg to 500 mg/kg body weight, more preferably from 0.1 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg body weight. It may be appropriate to administer the required dose as two, three, four or more sub-doses at appropriate intervals throughout the day. Said sub-doses may be formulated as unit dosage forms, for example, containing 1 to 1000 mg, and in particular 5 to 200 mg of active ingredient per unit dosage form.

It may be appropriate to administer an antivirally effective daily dosage as two, three, four or more sub-doses at appropriate intervals throughout the day. Said sub-doses may be formulated as unit dosage forms.

The exact dosage and frequency of administration depends on the particular compound of formula (I), (I′) or a compound of group (I″) used, the particular condition being treated, the severity of the condition being treated, the age, weight, sex, extent of disorder and general physical condition of the particular patient as well as other medication the individual may be taking, as is well known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, it is evident that said effective daily amount may be lowered or increased depending on the response of the treated subject and/or depending on the evaluation of the physician prescribing the compounds of the instant invention. The effective daily amount ranges mentioned hereinabove are therefore only guidelines.

Also, the combination of another antiviral agent and a compound of formula (I), (I′) or a compound of the group (I″) can be used as a medicine. Thus, the present invention also relates to a product containing (a) a compound of formula (I), (I′) or a compound of the group (I″), and (b) another antiviral compound, as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in antiviral treatment. The different drugs may be combined in a single preparation together with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. For instance, the compounds of the present invention may be combined with interferon-beta or tumor necrosis factor-alpha in order to treat or prevent RSV infections.

The following examples are intended to illustrate the present invention.

Experimental Part

Hereinafter, “DMF” is defined as N,N-dimethylformamide, “DIPE” is defined as diisopropylether, “DMSO” is defined as dimethylsulfoxide, and “THF” is defined as tetrahydrofuran.

Preparation of the Intermediate Compounds

EXAMPLE A1

a) NaOCH₃ (0.2 mol) was added to a mixture of N-(4-piperidinyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine dihydrobromide (0.1 mol) in methanol (389 ml), the mixture was cooled on an ice bath and stirred for 2 hours. Bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) dicarbonoate (0.1 mol) was added to a cooled mixture on an ice bath and then stirred for 18 hours at room temperature. The mixture was evaporated and suspended in water/DIPE. The residue was filtered off, washed with water/DIPE and dried. The residue was boiled up in CH₃OH. Yield: 17.46 g of 1,1-dimethylethyl 4-(1H-benzimidazol-2-ylamino)-1-piperidinecarboxylate (55.2%) (interm. 1).

b) Preparation of

1-Bromo-2,5-pyrrolidinedione (0.055 mol) and then dibenzoyl peroxide (cat.quant.) were added to a mixture of 2,6-dimethylpyrazine (0.05 mol) in CCl₄ (100 ml). The mixture was stirred and refluxed for 4 hours, stirred at room temperature under N₂ flow overnight, cooled on an ice bath and filtered. The filtrate was evaporated, to give residue 1. NaH (0.04 mol) was added to a solution of intermediate (1) (0.04 mol) in DMF (150 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature under N₂ flow for 1 hour. Residue 1 was dissolved in DMF (50 ml) and added dropwise to the mixture. The mixture was stirred at 50° C. overnight. DMF was evaporated. The residue was taken up in H₂O and the mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98/2). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 6.82 g of intermediate (2) (32%).

EXAMPLE A2

Preparation of

Reaction under N₂ flow. NaH 60% (0.02 mol) was added to a mixture of (±)-6-methyl-3-[2-[(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy]ethoxy]-2-pyridinemethanol (0.02 mol) in DMF (75 ml). Methanesulfonyl chloride (0.02 mol) was added. The mixture was added at room temperature to a mixture of intermediate (1) (0.02 mol) and NaH (0.022 mol) in DMF (100 ml), previously stirred at 40° C. for 1 hour. The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up in H₂O and CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 97/3). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 3.52 g of intermediate (3) (31%).

EXAMPLE A3

Preparation of

2-Chloro-1-(2-pyridylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole (0.0615 mol) and ethyl 4-amino-hexahydro-1H-azepine-1-carboxylate (0.123 mol) were stirred at 160° C. for 3 hours. H₂O was added and the mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (13.6 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH 98/2/0.1). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 10.5 g of intermediate (4) (43%).

EXAMPLE A4

a) Preparation of

A mixture of ethyl 3-amino-4-[[(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methyl]amino)benzoate (0.166 mol) and 4-isothiocyanato-1-(phenylmethyl)piperidine (0.166 mol) in ethanol (500 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 8 hours and at room temperature overnight. The precipitate was filtered off and used without further purification. Yield: intermediate (5).

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (5) (0.16 mol), HgO (0.192 mol) and S (spat.tip) in DMF (100 ml) was stirred at 80° C. for 4 hours, filtered warm over dicalite, washed with warm DMF, heated again and filtered warm over dicalite. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up in CH₂Cl₂. The mixture was washed with H₂O. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was co-evaporated with toluene. The residue was crystallized from CH₃CN. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 53.5 g of intermediate (6) (70%)

EXAMPLE A5

a) Preparation of

A mixture of N-(1-methylethyl)-2-propanamine (0.098 mol) in THF (100 ml) was stirred at 40° C. under N₂ flow. BuLi 1.6M in hexane (0.098 mol) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred at −40° C. for 30 min and cooled to −70° C. A mixture of 1-(diethoxymethyl)-2-methyl-1H-benzimidazole (0.098 mol) in THF (50 ml) was added dropwise and the mixture was stirred for 45 minutes. A mixture of hexahydro-1-(phenylmethyl)-4H-azepin-4-one (0.049 mol) in THF (50 ml) was added dropwise at −70° C. The mixture was hydrolized cold and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 98/2). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated (yielding 7.5 g). Part of the residue (3.5 g) was crystallized from EtOAc. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 2.3 g of intermediate (7).

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (7) (0.029 mol) in 1,1′-oxybis[2-methoxyethane] (300 ml) and H₂SO₄ conc. (20 ml) was stirred at 160° C. for 24 hours. Ice water was added. The mixture was basified with K₂CO₃ solid and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 18 g of a mixture of 2 compounds, of which one compound is intermediate (8) (75%).

c) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (8), 2-(chloromethyl)pyridine (0.047 mol) and K₂CO₃ (0.0775 mol) in acetonitrile (500 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 24 hours. H₂O was added and the mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 15.4 g of a mixture of 2 compounds, of which one is intermediate (9).

EXAMPLE A6

Preparation of

N,N-diethylethamine (16 ml) and then 2-chloromethyl-6-methyl-3-pyridinol (0.0376 mol) were added to a mixture of ethyl 4-[(3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl)amino]-1-piperdinecarboxylate (0.0376 mol) in DMF (550 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours and at 50° C. overnight. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was poured out into H₂O and CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by HPLC over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/C₂H₅OH 95/5 to 70/30). The desired fraction was collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 2.1 g of intermediate (10).

EXAMPLE A7

a) Preparation of

A mixture of 1,4-dioxaspiro[4,5]decan-8-amine (0.28 mol) and 1-isothiocyanato-2-nitrobenzene (0.28 mol) in ethanol (300 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The solvent was evaporated. The product was used without further purification. Yield: 90 g of intermediate (11).

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (11) (0.178 mol) in NH₃/CH₃OH (500 ml) and THF (100 ml) was hydrogenated at room temperature under a 3 bar pressure for 24 hours with Pd/C (52 g) as a catalyst. After uptake of H₂ (3 equiv), the catalyst was filtered through celite, washed with CH₃OH and the filtrate was evaporated. The product was used without further purification. Yield: 44 g of intermediate (12).

c) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (12) (0.071 mol), HgO (0.142 mol) and S (0.56 g) in ethanol (300 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 4 hours, filtered over celite, washed with CH₂Cl₂ and the filtrate was evaporated. The reaction was carried out again using the same quantities. The residues were combined and then purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH 94/6/0.5; 20-45 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 14.5 g of intermediate (13) (43%); mp. >260° C.

d) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (13) (0.049 mol), 2-(chloromethyl)pyridine (0.0735 mol) and K₂CO₃ (0.196 mol) in acetonitrile (325 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 4 hours and then brought to room temperature. The reaction was carried out again using the same quantities. The mixtures were combined. H₂O was added and the mixture was extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH 98/2/0.1; 20-45 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Part of this fraction (0.6 g) was crystallized from diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 0.46 g of intermediate (14); mp. 136° C.

e) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (14) (0.077 mol) in HCl 3N (350 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 1 hour, poured out into ice water, basified with K₂CO₃ solid and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, washed with H₂O, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. Part of the residue (1.5 g) was crystallized from CH₃CN and diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 0.5 g of intermediate (15); mp. 148° C.

EXAMPLE A8

a) Preparation of

LiAlH₄ (0.023 mol) was added portionwise at 5° C. to a solution of (±)-ethyl α-ethyl-4-[[1-(2-pyridylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]amino]-1-piperidineacetate (0.021 mol) in THF (100 ml). The mixture was stirred at 5° C. for 1 hour. EtOAc was added. The mixture was hydrolized with ice water, filtered over celite, washed with EtOAc, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 7.2 g of intermediate (16) (88%).

b) Preparation of

Diethyl azodicarboxylate (0.028 mol) was added slowly at room temperature to a solution of intermediate (16) (0.019 mol), 1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione (0.028 mol) and triphenyl phosphine (0.028 mol) in THF (200 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 8 hours. The solvent was evaporated till dryness. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂. The solution was acidified with HCl 3N, basified with NH₄OH and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (12 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH 97/3/0.1; 20-45 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 5.5 g of intermediate (17) (57%).

EXAMPLE A9

a) Preparation of

A mixture of 8-[[1-[(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]methyl]-1,4,8-dioxa-8-azaspiro[4.5]decane (0.0196 mol) in HCl 6N (55m]) and H₂O (55 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 6 hours. Toluene was added. The mixture was poured out on ice, alkalized with a NaOH solution and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. Part of this fraction was suspended in DIPE, filtered off and dried. Yield: 0.32 g of intermediate (18) (91%).

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (18) (0.008 mol) and N,N-dibenzylethylenediamine (0.01 mol) in methanol (150 ml) was hydrogenated with Pd/C 10% (1 g) as a catalyst in the presence of thiophene solution (0.5 ml). After uptake of H₂ (1 equiv), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated. Yield: 5.39 g of intermediate (19) (quant.).

EXAMPLE A10

a) Preparation of

A mixture of (±)-N-(4-piperidinyl)-1-[1-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine (0.026 mol), 2-chloropropanenitrile (0.039 mol) and K₂CO₃ (0.052 mol) in acetonitrile (100 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 8 hours. H₂O was added and the mixture was extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (8.5 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 96/4; 20-45 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 4.5 g of intermediate (20) (46%).

b) Preparation of

A mixture of compound 49 (0.0164 mol), 1-bromo-3-methyl-2-butanone (0.03 mol) and K₂CO₃ (0.06 mol) in CH₃CN (100 ml) was stirred and refluxed for several hours. H₂O was added. The solvent was evaporated. 4-Methyl-2-pentanone was added. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 98/2). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 2.75 g of intermediate (22) (40%).

EXAMPLE A11

Preparation of

A mixture of compound 90 (0.015 mol), (chloromethyl)oxirane (0.008 mol) and Na₂CO₃ (1.59 g) in 4-methyl-2-pentanone (150ml) was heated slowly to 100° C. (to 40° C. in 1 hour, 70° C. in 1 hour), stirred at 100° C. overnight, then stirred and refluxed for 20 hours. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 95/5). Two fractions were collected and their solvents were evaporated. Fraction 1 was crystallized from DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 0.18 g of intermediate (21).

EXAMPLE A12

a) Preparation of

Methylsulfonyl chloride (0.0512 mol) was added dropwise at 0° C. under N₂ flow to a mixture of 4-[[1-(2-pyridinylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]amino]-1-piperidineethanol (0.0256 mol) and N,N-diethylethanamine (0.0512 mol) in CH₂Cl₂ (200 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 90 minutes. The solvent was evaporated till dryness. Yielding: intermediate (23)

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (23) (0.028 mol), 2-[(phenylmethyl)amino]ethanol, (0.034 mol) and K₂CO₃ (0.112 mol) in CH₃CN (200 ml) was stirred at 60° C. for 4 hours. H₂O was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (13.5 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH 97/3/0.5; 35-70 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 5.5 g of intermediate (24) (41%).

EXAMPLE A13

Preparation of

HCl 12N (165 ml) was added to a mixture of

(interm. 36), prepared according to example A7c), (0.049 mol) in H₂O (165 ml). The mixture was stirred and refluxed for 6 hours. The solvent was evaporated. HBr 48% (320 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred and refluxed for 4 hours and then stirred overnight. The solvent was evaporated. 2-Propanol was added and the solvent was evaporated again. The residue was suspended in DIPE. The mixture was decanted, taken up in H₂O/DIPE and then separated into its layers. CH₂Cl₂ was added to the aqueous layer. The mixture was alkalized with NH₄OH. 2-Propanol was added. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 15 g of intermediate (25).

EXAMPLE A14

a) Preparation of

3,4-diaminophenyl-(3-fluorophenyl)methanone (0.056 mol) and urea (0.084 mol) were stirred at 150 á 160° C. for 4 hours (melt) and then cooled. Water was added. The mixture was stirred at 50° C. for a while and then cooled. The precipitate was filtered off, stirred in 2-propanone and dried. Yield: 11.4 g of intermediate (26).

b) Preparation of

Phosphorus oxychloride (50 ml) was added carefully to intermediate (26) (0.045 mol). The mixture was stirred and refluxed for 24 hours and then was stood at room temperature over the weekend. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up in CH₂Cl₂/ice/K₂CO₃ solid. The mixture was separated into its layers. The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The undissolved material was filtered off to give residue 1. The combined organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated to give residue 2. Residue 1 and residue 2 were combined. Yield: 16.75 g of intermediate (27) (100%).

EXAMPLE A15

Preparation of

A mixture of compound (341) (0.0025 mol) , prepared according to B25a), 2-(2-bromoethyl)-1H-Isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione (0.00275 mol) and K₂CO₃ (3 g) in CH₃CN (100 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 24 hours. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ and then washed with water. The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂(CH₃OH/NH₃) 97/3). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: intermediate (28).

EXAMPLE A16

a) 2,4,5-trimethyloxazole (0.225 mol) was stirred in CCl₄ (500 mL) under N₂-flow. Then 1-bromo-2,5-pyrrolidinedione (0.225 mol) and benzoyl peroxide (cat.quant.) were added. This mixture was stirred and refluxed for 1 hour under N₂-flow. The reaction mixture was cooled in an ice bath (ice/salt). The mixture was filtered. The filtrate was evaporated. Yield: 42.7 g (<100%) of 5-(bromomethyl)-2,4-dimethyloxazole (intermediate 30).

b) Intermediate (30) (0.225 mol) was taken up in DMF (450 ml). Na[N(CH(═O))2] (0.225 mol) was added portionwise and the mixture was stirred at 50° C. for 1 hour and at room temperature overnight. The mixture was evaporated. Yield: 41 g (100%) of N-[(2,4-dimethyl-5-oxazolyl)methyl]-N-formylformamide (intermediate 31).

c) A mixture of intermediate (31) (0.225 mol) in HCl 36% (120 ml) and ethanol (500 ml) was refluxed for 1 hour and stirred overnight. The mixture was filtered off, the precipitate was washed with C₂H₅OH and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was taken up in ice water, alkalized with NaOH and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The mixture was separated and the organic layer was dried and evaporated. Yield: 28 g (100%) of 2,4-dimethyl-5-oxazolmethanaamine (intermediate 32).

d) 2-chloro-3-nitropyridine (0.225 mol) and Na₂CO₃ (0.225 mol) were added to a mixture of intermediate (32) (0.225 mol) in ethanol (500 ml) and the mixture was stirred and refluxed for 6 hours. The mixture was evaporated and the residue was taken up in water and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The mixture was separated and the organic layer was dried, filtered off and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel. The pure fractions were collected and evaporated. Yield: 27 g (48%) of N-[(2,4-dimethyl-5-oxazolyl)methyl]-3-nitro-2-pyridinamine (intermediate 33).

e) A mixture of intermediate (33) (0.1 mol) was hydrogenated in a thiophene solution 4% (3 ml) and methanol (400 ml) with Pd/C 5% (4 g) as a catalyst. After uptake of H₂ (3 eq), the catalyst was filtered off. The residue was evaporated and used without further purification. Yield: 21.8 g (100%) of N²-[(2,4-dimethyl-5-oxazolyl)methyl]-2,3-pyridinediamine (intermediate 34).

f) Intermediate (34) (0.1 mol) was dissolved in DMF (250 ml). Ethyl 4-isothiocyanato-1-piperidinecarboxylate (0.1 mol) was added and the mixture was stirred at 50° C. for 20 hours. HgO (0.125 mol) and sulfur powder (few crystals) were added and the mixture was stirred at 75° C. for 3 hours 30 minutes. The mixture was filtered over dicalite and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was taken up in water/CH₂Cl₂. The mixture was separated, the organic layer was dried, filtered off and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 95/5). The pure fractions were collected and evaporated. The residue was crystallized from DIPE and recrystallized from CH₃CN. Yield: 216.6277g (55.4%) of ethyl 4-[[3-[(2,4-dimethyl-5-oxazolyl)methyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl]amino-1-piperidinecarboxylate (intermediate 35).

EXAMPLE A17

Cl—CH₂-C(═NH)—O—C₂H₅ (0.0625 mol) was added to a mixture of N²-[(2-methyl-5-oxazolyl)methyl]-2,3-pyridinediamine (0.05 mol) in acetic acid (150 mL) and the mixture was stirred for 20 hours at room temperature. The mixture was warmed up to 90° C. and stirred for 10 minutes at this temperature. The mixture was evaporated at <50° C. The residue was taken up in water/CH₂Cl₂+Na₂CO₃. The organic layer was separated, extracted with CH₂Cl₂, dried (MgSO₄) and filtered. The residue was taken up in DIPE + active charcoal and stirred for 1 hour. The mixture was filtered and evaporated, Yield: 13.1 g (100%) of 2-(chloromethyl)-3-[(2-methyl-5-oxazolyl)methyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (intermediate 29).Preparation of the final compounds

EXAMPLE B1

a) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (2) (0.016 mol) in 2-propanol/HCl (10 ml) and 2-propanol (100 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 2 hours and then cooled. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with DIPE and dried. The residue was taken up in H₂O, NH₃ and CH₃OH and the mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified over silica gel on a glass filter (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 90/10). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 1.8 g of compound (1) (35%).

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (10) (0.0054 mol) in HBr 48% (50 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 5 hours. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was suspended in DIPE, filtered off and crystallized from ethanol. The solvent was evaporated and the fraction was purified by high-performance liquid chromatography over RP Hyperprep (eluent: (0.5% NH₄OAc in H₂O)/CH₃CN from 100/0 to 01100). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 0.188 g of compound (308).

EXAMPLE B2

a) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (3) (0.00622 mol) in 2-propanol/HCl (10 ml) and 2-propanol (100 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 4 hours. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up in H₂O, Na₂CO₃ and CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in 2-propanol and DIPE and converted into the hydrochloric acid salt with 2-propanol/HCl. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. This fraction was converted into the free base and purified over silica gel on a glass filter (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 90/10). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was converted into the hydrochloric acid salt (1:3). The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 0.65 g of compound (2) (20%).

b) Preparation of

A mixture of 1,1-dimethylethyl 4-[[1-[[3,5-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-9-(phenylmethoxy)-1H-[1,3]dioxepino[5,6-c]pyridin-2-yl]methyl]-H-benzimidazol-2-yl]amino]-1-piperidinecarboxylate (0.00552 mol) in HCl 10N (200 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 6 hours. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was suspended in DIPE, filtered off and dried. Yield: 0.58 g of compound (3).

EXAMPLE B3

Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (4) (0.021 mol) and KOH (0.43 mol) in 2-propanol (10 ml) was stirred and refluxed overnight. H₂O was added and the mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 6.9 g of compound (4) (quant.).

EXAMPLE B4

Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (6) (0.02 mol) in ethanol (120 ml) was hydrogenated with Pd/C 10% (2 g) as a catalyst. After uptake of H₂ (1 equiv), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated, yielding a residue of 8 g (100%). Part of this fraction (0.7 g) was dissolved in ethanol and converted into the hydrochloric acid salt (1:3) with 2-propanol/HCl. DIPE was added. The mixture was stirred. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 0.65 g of compound (5).

EXAMPLE B5

Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (9) (0.035 mol) in methanol (200 ml) was hydrogenated at room temperature under a 3 bar pressure for 48 hours with Pd/C (1.5 g) as a catalyst, then hydrogenation was continued at 40° C. under a 3 bar pressure for 48 hours. After uptake of H₂ (2 equiv), the catalyst was filtered through celite and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue (12 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH 80/20/3). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 3.8 g of compound (6) (34%).

EXAMPLE B6

Preparation of

A mixture of 6-[[²-(4-piperidinylamino)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-2-pyridine-carboxylic acid in HCl 36% (5 ml) and ethanol (50 ml) was stirred and refluxed overnight. The solvent was evaporated. H₂O, NaHCO₃ and CH₂Cl₂ were added. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified over silica gel on a glass filter (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 90/10). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 0.83 g of compound (7).

EXAMPLE B7

Preparation of

A mixture of compound (1) (0.003 mol), 1,1-dimethylethyl (2-bromoethyl) carbamoate (0.004 mol) and Na₂CO₃ (0.004 mol) in 2-butanone (100 ml) was stirred and refluxed overnight. The reaction mixture was cooled, washed with water and the layers were separated. The organic phase was washed with a NH₄Cl solution. The aqueous phase was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified over silica gel on a glass filter (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 97/3). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: a residue of 1.18 g of compound (8) (84%).

b) Preparation of

A mixture of compound (10) (0.00147 mol) and NH(CH₃)₂ gas (20 g) in THF (100 ml) was stirred at 125° C. for 16 hours. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified over silica gel on a glass filter (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 95/5). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 0.43 g of compound (11) (53%).

EXAMPLE B10

a) Preparation of

1-Bromo-2,5-pyrrolidinedione (0.088 mol) and then dibenzoyl peroxide (cat.quant.) were added to a solution of 3-chloro-6-methylpyridazine (0.08 mol) in CCl₄ (mol. sieves) (200 ml). The mixture was stirred and refluxed for 6 hours and then filtered over dicalite. 1-Bromo-2,5-pyrrolidinedione (0.088 mol) and dibenzoyl peroxide (cat.quant.) were added again. The mixture was stirred and refluxed overnight and filtered over dicalite. The solvent was evaporated at a temperature below 40° C. The residue was dissolved in DMF (70 ml) and added to a mixture of 1,1-dimethylethyl [2-[4-(1H-benzimidazol-2-ylamino)-1-piperidinyl]ethyl]carbamate (0.0214 mol) and NaH (0.0235 mol) in DMF (190 ml), previously stirred at room temperature for 1 hour and at 40° C. for 1 hour. The resulting mixture was stirred at 50° C. overnight. The solvent was evaporated. H₂O and CH₂Cl₂ were added. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 97/3). The pure fractions were collected and their solvents were evaporated. Yield: 1.21 g of compound (12).

b) Preparation of

EXAMPLE B8

Preparation of

Reaction under N₂ flow. NaH (0.01 mol) was added to a mixture of 1,1-dimethylethyl [2-[4-(1H-benzimidazol-2-ylamino)-1-piperidinyl]ethyl]carbamate (0.01 mol) in DMF p.a. dry (100 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. 6-chloro-methyl-2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-pyrimidinol (0.01 mol) in a small amount of DMF p.a. dry was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred at 50° C. overnight and then cooled. H₂O (50 ml) was added. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up in CH₂Cl₂. The organic solution was washed with H₂OHOAc, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated, to give residue 1. The aqueous layer was taken up in HOAc and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated, to give residue 2. Residue 1 and 2 were combined and purified by column chromatography over RP 18 BDS (eluent: NH₄OAc (0.5% in H₂O)/CH₃OH/CH₃CN 70/15/15, 0/50/50 and 0/0/100). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: compound (9).

EXAMPLE B9

a) Preparation of

Thionyl chloride (0.03 mol) was added to a mixture of (±)-6-methyl-3-[2-[(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy]ethoxy]-2-pyridinemethanol (0.015 mol) in CH₂Cl₂ (100 ml). Toluene was added and evaporated again. The residue was taken up in DMF (50 ml) and then added to a mixture of 1,1-dimethylethyl[2-[4-(1H-benzimidazol-2-ylamino)-1-piperidinyl]ethyl]carbamate (0.015 mol) and NaH (0.06 mol) in DMF (200 ml). The mixture was stirred at 50° C. overnight. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up in H₂O and CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified over silica gel on a glass filter (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 99/1). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was suspended in petroleum ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 1.55 g of compound (10) (20%).

A mixture of compound (12) (0.0025 mol), CaO (2 g) and Pd/C (1 g) in 1-butanethiol (2 ml) and THF (100 ml) was stirred at room temperature for the weekend. The solvent was evaporated. Yield: 1 g of compound (13) (88%).

EXAMPLE B11

Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (15) (0.031 mol) and N-(2-aminoethyl)acetamide (0.093 mol) in methanol (300 ml) was hydrogenated at 30° C. under a 3 bar pressure for 12 hours with Pd/C (5 g) as a catalyst. After uptake of H₂ (1 equiv), the catalyst was filtered through celite, washed with CH₃OH and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH 92/8/0.5; 20-45 μm). Two pure fractions were collected and their solvents were evaporated, yielding a residue of 2.8 g (22%) and 9 g (71%). Parts of these fractions (0.6 g; 0.8 g) were crystallized from diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 0.52 g of compound (14); mp. 126° C. and 0.53 g of compound (15); mp. 200° C.

EXAMPLE B12

Preparation of

NaBH₃CN (0.048 mol) was added portionwise at 5° C. to a solution of N-4-piperidinyl-1-(2-pyridylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine dihydrochloride (0.032 mol) and 1,1-dimethylethyl (1,1-dimethyl-2-oxoethyl)carbamoate (0.032 mol) in methanol (100 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 8 hours and hydrolized at 5° C. with ice water. Methanol was evaporated. The residue was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (13 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH 95/5/0.1; 20-45 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 2.2 g of compound (16) (14%).

EXAMPLE B13

Preparation of

A mixture of 1,1-dimethylethyl[2-[4-[[1-[(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methyl]-6-nitro-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]amino]-1-piperidinyl]ethyl]carbamate (0.0084 mol) in methanol (150 ml) was hydrogenated at 50° C. with Pt/C 5% (1 g) as a catalyst in the presence of thiophene solution (1 ml). After uptake of H₂ (3 equiv), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 99/1 to 97.5/2.5). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 3.3 g of compound (17) (82%).

EXAMPLE B14

Preparation of

A mixture of N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(2-pyridyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine (0.143 mol) in HCOOH (50 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 3 hours. The solvent was evaporated till dryness. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂. The mixture was basified with Na₂CO₃, filtered and the filtrate was evaporated till dryness. The residue (4.9 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH 92/8/1; 20-45 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from 2-propanone. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 2.8 g of compound (18) (51%); mp. 146° C.

EXAMPLE B15

Preparation of

LiAl (0.0065 mol) was added portionwise at 5° C. to a solution of (±)-1,1-dimethyl-ethyl [1-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-[4-[[1-(2-pyridylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]amino]-1-piperidinyl]ethyl]carbamate (0.0059 mol) in THF (30 ml). The mixture was stirred at 5° C. for 1 hour. EtOAc was added. The mixture was hydrolized with ice water, filtered over celite and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.8 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH 92/8/0.5; 1540 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 1.55 g of compound (19) (56%).

EXAMPLE B16

a) Preparation of

A mixture of

0.021mol) in 2-propanol/HCl (29 ml) and 2-propanol (290 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 2 hours and then cooled to room temperature. The precipitate was filtered off and combined with analogously obtained fraction. The precipitate was dissolved at reflux in ethanol (150 ml), then allowed to crystallize out. The precipitate was filtered off and dried (45° C., 16 hours, then air-dried for 30 minutes). Yield: 8.9 g (70%) of compound (290). Compound (290) was converted into the free base according to art known procedures resulting in compound (355).

b) Preparation of

preparation of

Compound (355) (0.001 mol) was added to ethanol (6 ml; absolute ethanol) and heated to reflux temperature to give an homogeneous solution (I). Solution (I) was treated with butanedioic acid (0.118 g, 0.001 mol) and resulted in immediate salt formation. The mixture was heated to reflux temperature, became homogeneous, then was allowed to cool to room temperature. The precipitate was filtered off, and dried (vacuum, 50° C., 24 hours). Yield: 0.40 g (78%) of compound (356). Solution (I) was treated with hydroxybutanedioic acid (0.134 g, 0.001 mol) and the mixture was heated to reflux temperature, became homogeneous, then was allowed to cool to room temperature. The precipitate was filtered off and dried (vacuum, 50° C., 24 hours). Yield: 0.46 g (87%) of compound (357).

c) Preparation of

Compound (290) (0.000065 mol) was dissolved in water (3 ml). The mixture was stirred and alkalized with concentrated NH₄OH (400 μl, and 100 μl). CHCl₃ (20 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred vigorously for 10 minutes. More conc. NH₄OH (100 μl) was added and the mixture was stirred vigorously for 5 minutes. The organic layer was separated, then the alkalic layer was re-extracted once with CHCl₃ (5 ml). The combined organic layers were washed once with a saturated aqueous NaCl solution, then dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was stirred in HCOOH (20 ml) until complete dissolution (=after 2 minutes). Acetic acid anhydride (0.00213 mol) was added dropwise over 1 minute and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature. After 24 hours, more acetic acid anhydride (50 μl) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 15 minutes. More acetic acid anhydride (50 μl) was added to the reaction mixture. The whole was stirred for 2 hours 15 minutes on a 60° C. oil-bath, then stood over the weekend at room temperature. More acetic acid anhydride (1000 μl) was added to the reaction mixture. The whole was stirred for 30 minutes on a 60-70° C. oil-bath, then stirred overnight at room temperature. Again, the reaction mixture was stirred for 2:5 hours at 60° C. More acetic acid anhydride (100 μl) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 45 minutes at 60° C., then stood overnight at room temperature. Water (100 μl) was added to decompose remaining acetic acid anhydride. The solvent was evaporated (in vacuo at 60° C.). Toluene was added to the residue, then evaporated again (in vacuo, 60° C.). Xylene was added, then evaporated (in vacuo at 60° C.) to give (x). To a sample, water (3 drops) was added. NHOH (10 μl) was added. Water (5 drops) was added and the mixture was shaken vigorously to give (y). (x) and (y) were dissolved in CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/(CH₃OH/NE₃) 84/12/4, then purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 84/12/4). The product fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. This fraction (0.185 g) was stirred in boiling ethanol (±10 ml), allowed to cool to room temperature, then E120 (10 ml) was added and the mixture was stirred for 15 minutes. The precipitate was filtered off by suction, rinsed with Et₂O, then air-dried for 3 hours, then dried further (high vacuum, 2 hours at room temperature, then air-dried overnight at room temperature). Yield: 0.153 g of compound (354).

EXAMPLE B17

Preparation of

A mixture of 1,1-dimethylethyl[2-[4-[[1-(1,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]amino]-1-piperidinyl]ethyl/carbamate (0.002 mol) and KOH (1 g) in sec. butanol (25 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 1 hour. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 90/10). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was suspended in DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 0.57 g of compound (21).

EXAMPLE B18

Preparation of

A mixture of 2-[2-[4-[[1-[3-(2-pyridyl)propyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]amino]-1-piperidinyl]ethyl]-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione (0.005 mol) in HCl 6N (120 ml) and HOAc (60 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 30 hours and then cooled on an ice bath. A NaOH solution was added carefully dropwise until pH>7. The mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ and then separated into its layers. The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layer was washed with H₂O, separated again, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up in a small amount of 2-propanol and converted into the hydrochloric acid salt (1:4) with 2-propanol/HCl 6N. DIPE was added. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with DIPE and dried. Yield: 1.95 g of compound (22) (70%).

EXAMPLE B19

Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (17) (0.01 mol) in hydrazine (5 ml) and ethanol (50 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 30 minutes. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂. The organic solution was washed with H₂O, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (4.8 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH 89/10/1; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 51.7 g of compound (23) (45%); mp. 112° C.

EXAMPLE B20

Preparation of

A mixture of 3-methyl-1-[4-[[1-(2-pyridylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]amino]-1-piperidinyl]-2-butanone (0.01 mol) and benzenemethanamine (0.031 mol) in methanol (50 ml) was hydrogenated at 40° C. under a 3 bar pressure for 24 hours with Pd/C (0.4 g) as a catalyst. After uptake of H₂ (1 equiv), the catalyst was filtered through celite, washed with CH₃OH and CH₂Cl₂ and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue (5 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH 93/7/1; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from pentane. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 1 g of compound (24) (21%); mp. 115° C.

EXAMPLE B21

Preparation of

Reaction under N₂ atmosphere. Na₂CO₃ (0.250 g) was added to 1,1-dimethylethyl [2-[4-(1H-benzimidazol-2-ylamino)-1-piperidinyl]ethyl]carbamate (0.0028 mol) in DMF (10 ml). The mixture was stirred for 4 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was divided over 5 tubes. 2-Chloromethyl-3-chloro-5-trifluoropyridine (0.100 g) was added to each tube and the resulting reaction mixture was stirred overnight at 50° C. The mixture was acidified with HCl/2-propanol, then stirred for 3 hours at 90° C. The mixture was alkalized with NH₃/CH₃OH and the desired compound was isolated and purified by high-performance liquid chromatography over a Prochrom D.A.C.-column with Hypersil ‘BDS’ HS C18 (100 g, 8 μm, 100 Å; eluent gradient: ((0.5% NH₄OAc in H₂O)/CH₃OH/CH₃CN (0 min) 70/15/15, (10.31 min) 0/50/50, (16.32 min) 0/0/100, (16.33 min-end) 70/15/15). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 0.020 g of compound (25).

EXAMPLE B22

a) Preparation of

A mixture of 1-[4-[(1-[(3-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]-amino]-1-piperidinyl]-3-methyl-2-butanone (0.0065 mol) in CH₃OH/NH₃ (300 ml) was hydrogenated at room temperature with Rh/Al₂O₃ (1 g) as a catalyst in the presence of CH₃OH/NH₃ (3 ml). After uptake of H₂ (1 equiv), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was purified over silica gel on a glass filter (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 95/5 to 90/10). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 1.52 g of compound (26) (55%).

b) Preparation of

A mixture (0.6g) of

(prepared analogous to the procedure described in example AlOb)) in NH₃/CH₃OH (100 ml) was hydrogenated for 16 hours at 50° C. with Rh/C (0.5 g) as a catalyst in the presence of thiophene solution (1 ml). After uptake of H₂ (1 equiv), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was purified by high-performance liquid chromatography over Kromasil C18 (100 Å; eluent: NH₄OAc 0.5% H₂O/CH₃CN 75%, 25% CH₃OH to CH₃CN 100%). Two pure fraction groups were collected and their solvent was evaporated. Yield: 0.165 g of compound 298.

EXAMPLE B23

Preparation of

A mixture of (±)-1,1dimethylethyl[2-[4-[[1-[[6-methyl-3-[2-[(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2yl)oxy]ethoxy]-2-pyridyl]methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]amino]-1-piperidinyl]ethyl]-carbamate (0.0014 mol) in 2-propanol/HCl (5 ml) and 2-propanol (50 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 4 hours and taken up in H₂O, Na₂CO₃ and CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated. 2-Propanol/HCl (5 ml) and 2-propanol (50 ml) were added again. The mixture was stirred and refluxed for 1 hour and converted into the hydrochloric acid salt. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. The residue was purified over silica gel on a glass filter (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 90/10). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was converted into the hydrochloric acid salt. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 0.18 g of compound (27) (23%).

EXAMPLE B24

Preparation of

A mixture of 1,1-dimethylethyl[2-[4-[[1-[[3,5-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-9-(phenyl-methoxy)-1H-[1,3]dioxepino[5,6-c]pyridin-2-yl]methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]amino]-1-piperidinyl]ethyl]carbamate (0.00213 mol) in HCl 10N (100 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 4 hours. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was suspended in DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 0.9 g of compound (28).

EXAMPLE B25

a) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (19) (0.008 mol) in methanol (150 ml) was hydrogenated with Pd/C (1 g) as a catalyst. After uptake of H₂ (1 equiv), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was purified over silica gel on a glass filter (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 95/5, 93/7 to 90/10). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 1.81 g of compound (29) (60%).

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate (24) (0.011 mol) in methanol (100 ml) was hydrogenated at room temperature under a 3 bar pressure overnight with Pd/C (2 g) as a catalyst. The catalyst was recuperated and hydrogenation was continued at room temperature under a 3 bar pressure for 2 hours with Pd/C (2 g) as a catalyst. After uptake of hydrogen (1 equiv), the catalyst was filtered off, washed with CH₃OH and CH₂Cl₂ and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue (4.5 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH NH₄OH 85/15/1 and 56/40/4; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from 2-propanol and diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 1.8 g of compound (312) (40%).

c) Preparation of

A mixture of

(0.016 mol), prepared according to A5c), in methanol (250 ml) was hydrogenated with Pd/C 10% (2 g) as a catalyst. After uptake of hydrogen (3 equiv), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 90/10). The product fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 4.2 g of compound (313).

EXAMPLE B26

Preparation of

LiAlH₄ (0.014 mol) was added portionwise at 5° C. to a solution of intermediate (20) (0.012 mol) in THF (50 ml). The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and then stirred at room temperature for 48 hours. EtOAc was added. The mixture was hydrolized with ice water, filtered over celite, washed with EtOAc and the filtrate was extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (3 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/NH₄OH 87/13/1; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 0.75 g of compound (30) (16%); mp. 85° C.

EXAMPLE B27

a) Preparation of

(compound31)

A mixture of 4-[[1-(2-pyridylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]amino]-1-piperidine-butanenitrile (0.01 mol) in CH₃OH/NH₃ (80 ml) was hydrogenated at room temperature under a 3 bar pressure overnight with Raney Nickel (3.8 g) as a catalyst. After uptake of H₂ (2 equiv), the catalyst was filtered through celite and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was crystallized from diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 2.9 g of compound (31) (76%); mp. 94° C.

b) Preparation of

(compound 314)

A mixture of 5-[[2-[[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]methyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridin-3-yl]methyl]-2-furanmethanol (0.0068 mol) in CH₃OH/NH₃ (300 ml) was hydrogenated at 20° C. with Raney Nickel (1 g) as a catalyst. After uptake of H₂ (2 equiv), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) from 95/5 to 90/10). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was repurified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH NH₃) 95/5). The purest fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up into HCl/2-propanol and DIPE was added. The resulting salt was filtered off and purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 98/2). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 0.2 g of compound (314).

EXAMPLE B28

Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 21 (0.001 mol) in CH₃OH/NH₃ (100 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 20 hours and at 100° C. for 16 hours. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH₂Cl₂/(CH₃OH/NH₃) 90/10). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was dried. Yield: 0.11 μg of compound 303.

EXAMPLE B29

Preparation of

Iodomethane (0.00494 mol) was added at room temperature to a solution of compound (328) (0.004491 mol) in 2-propanone (17 ml), and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. The residue (1.6 g) was crystallized from 2-propanone. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 1.5 g of compound (315) (64%).

EXAMPLE B30

Preparation of

Compound (317) (0.0027 mol) was dissolved in ethanol (50 ml). The mixture was converted into the hydrochloric acid salt (1:3) with 2-propanol/HCl. The precipitate was filtered off and dried. Yield: 1.68 g of compound (316).

Tables 1 to 17 list the compounds of formula (I′) and the compounds of group (I″) which were prepared according to one of the above examples. TABLE 1

Co. No. Ex. No. n R^(a) R^(b) Physical data 32 B1a 1 H 1,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl H₂O (1:2) 33 B1a 1 H 1,4-dimethyl-5

COOC₂H₅]-1H-imidazol-2-yl HCl (1:3) 34 B1a 1 H 2-bromo-5-pyridyl 35 B1a 1 CH₃ 2-pyrazinyl 36 B1a 1 ethyl 2-pyrazinyl 37 B1a 1 H 2-pyridyl HCl (1:2); mp. >160° C. 38 B1a 1 CH₃ 2-pyridyl 39 B1a 2 H 2-pyridyl HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:2) 40 B1b 2 H 2-pyridyl 41 B1b 3 H 2-pyridyl HBr (1:3) 42 B1a 0 — 2-pyrimidinyl 43 B1a 1 H 2-pyrimidinyl HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 44 B1a 1 H 3,5,6-trimethyl-2-pyrazinyl 45 B1a 1 H 3-[C₂H₅—O—(CH₂)₂—O]-6-methyl-2-pyridyl HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:3) 46 B1a 1 H 3-amino-2-pyridyl HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:2) 47 B1a 1 H 3-amino-2-pyridyl 48 B1a 1 H 3-hydroxy-2-pyridyl HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 49 B1a 1 H 3-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyridyl HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:3) 50 B1a 1 H 3-hydroxy-6-pyridazinyl HCl (1:2); H₂O (1:1) 51 B1a 1 H 3-methoxy-6-methyl-2-pyridyl HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:2) 52 B1a 1 H 3-methoxy-6-methyl-2-pyridyl 53 B1a 1 H 3-methyl-2-pyrazinyl  3 B2b 1 H 3-OH-4,5

CH₂—OH)₂-2-pyridyl HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:2) 54 B1a 1 H 3-pyridazinyl 55 B3 1 H 1,5-(CH₃)₂-1H-pyrrol-2-yl 56 B1a 1 H 4,6-dimethyl-2-pyridyl 57 B1a 1 H 4-chloro-2-pyridyl 58 B1a 1 H 4-methoxy-2-pyridyl 59 B1a 1 H 4-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 60 B1a 1 H 4-pyridyl HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 61 B1a 1 H 4-pyridyl 62 B1a 1 H 4-pyrimidinyl 63 B1a 1 H 5-chloro-1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl 64 B1a 1 H 5-methyl-2-pyrazinyl HCl (1:1) 65 B1a 1 H 5-methyl-2-pyrazinyl 66 B1a 1 H 6-(-CH₂—O—CH₃)-2-pyridyl HCl (1:2); H₂O (1:3) 67 B1a 1 H 6-(hydroxymethyl)-2-pyridyl 68 B1a 1 H 6-

CO—N(CH₃)₂]-2-pyridyl 69 B1a 1 H 6-bromo-2-pyridyl HCl (1:2) 70 B1a 1 H 6-bromo-2-pyridyl 71 B1a 1 H 6-chloro-2-pyridyl HCl (1:2) 72 B1a 1 H 6-HOOC-2-pyridyl 73 B1a 1 CH₃ 6-hydroxymethyl-2-pyridyl HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 74 B1a 1 H 6-methoxy-2-pyridyl  1 B1a 1 H 6-methyl-2-pyrazinyl 75 B1a 1 CH₃ 6-methyl-2-pyrazinyl 2 B2a 1 H 6-methyl-3

O—(CH₂)₂—OH]-2-pyridyl HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:2) 76 B1a 1 H 6-methyl-3

-O—(CH₂)₂—N(CH₃)₂]-2-pyridyl HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1) 7 B6 1 H 6

COOC₂H₅)-2-pyridyl

TABLE 2

Co. Ex. No. No. n a R^(a) R^(b) R^(c) Physical data 78 B1a 1 CH H H CH₃ — 4 B3 2 CH H H H — 81 B16 1 CH H H —CH₂-phenyl — 308 B1b 1 N 3-OH 6-CH₃ H —

TABLE 3

Co. No. Ex. No. a R^(a) R^(b) R^(c) Physical data 82 B4 CH₂ 5-OCH₃ 6-OCH₃ H 83 B1b NH 5-Cl 6-Cl CH₃ HBr (1:3) 84 B1b NH 5-CH₃ 6-CH₃ CH₃ HBr (1:3) 85 B1b NH 4-Cl H CH₃ HBr (1:3) 86 B1b NH 7-Cl H CH₃ HBr (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 87 B1b NH 6-NO₂ H CH₃ HBr (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 88 B1b NH 7-CH₃ H CH₃ HBr (1:3) 89 B1b NH 5-NO₂ H CH₃ HBr (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 90 B1b NH 7-CH₃ H CH₃ 91 B1b NH 4-CH₃ H CH₃ HBr (1:3) 92 B1b NH 4-CH₃ H CH₃ 93 B1b NH 5-CF₃ H CH₃ 94 B1b NH 6-CF₃ H CH₃ 95 B1b NH 6-Cl H CH₃ 96 B1b NH 5-Cl H CH₃ 5 B4 NH 6

COOC₂H₅) H CH₃ 97 B4 NH 6

COOC₂H₅) H CH₃ HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 98 B4 NH 6

CH₂—OH) H CH₃ HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:2) 99 B4 NH 6

CH₂—OH) H CH₃ 100 B1a CH[N(CH₃)₂] H H CH₃ HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1)

TABLE 4

Co. No. Ex. No. * L Physical data 101 B4 4 3-piperidinyl HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 102 B4 3 H 18 B14 4 —(CH₂)₂—NH—CHO mp. 146° C. 103 B7 4

104 B16 4

HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2); mp. 226° C. 105 B16 4 —CH₂—C(CH₃)₂—NH₂ HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:2); mp. 195° C. 106 B16 4 —CH₂—CH(CH₂OH)—NH₂ HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2); mp. 200° C. 23 B19 4 —CH(C₂H₅)—CH₂—NH₂ mp. 112° C. 107 B19 4 —CH(C₆H₅)—CH(C₆H₅)—NH₂ (A); mp. 106° C. 108 B19 4 —CH(C₆H₅)—CH(C₆H₅)—NH₂ (B); mp. 98° C. 109 B19 4 2-aminocyclohexyl mp. 116° C. 110 B19 4 —CH(phenylmethyl)-CH₂—NH₂ mp. 168° C. 111 B19 4 —CH[C(CH₃)₃]—CH₂—NH₂ mp. 133° C. 112 B19 4 —CH[CH₂—N(CH₃)₂]—CH₂—NH₂ mp. 112° C. 113 B19 4 —CH₂—CH(NH₂)-phenyl mp. 128° C. 114 B19 4 —CH[CH₂-(1-piperidinyl)]-CH₂—NH₂ HCl (1:4); mp. 203° C. 115 B19 4 —CH₂—CH(cyclopropyl)-NH₂ H₂O (1:2); mp. 84° C. 24 B20 4 —CH₂—CH[CH(CH₃)₂]—NH₂ mp. 115° C. 116 B20 4 —CH₂—CH(CH₃)—NH₂ H₂O (1:1) 117 B20 4 —CH(CH₃)—CH(CH₃)—NH₂ (B); mp. 114° C. 118 B20 4 —CH₂—CH(C₂H₅)—NH₂ mp. 140° C. 119 B20 4 —CH₂—CH(cycloC₆H₁₁)—NH₂ mp. 134° C. 120 B20 4 —CH(CH₃)—CH(CH₃)—NH₂ (A); HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:4); mp. 214° C. 121 B20 4 —CH₂—CH(NH₂)—CH₂—CH(CH₃)₂ mp. 124° C. 122 B20 4 —CH₂—CH(NH₂)—(CH₂)₃—CH₃ mp. 142° C. 123 B20 4 —CH₂—CH(NH₂)—(CH₂)₂—CH(CH₃)₂ mp. 152° C. 124 B20 4 —CH₂—CH(NH₂)—(CH₂)₂—CH₃ mp. 146° C. 125 B20 4 —CH₂—CH(NH₂)—(CH₂)₇—CH₃ mp. 136° C. 126 B20 4 —CH₂—CH(NH₂)—(CH₂)₂-phenyl mp. 136° C. 127 B20 4 —CH₂—CH(NH₂)—CH₂—C(CH₃)₃ HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1); mp. 244° C. 128 B20 4 —CH₂—CH(NH₂)—CH(CH₃)(C₂H₅) (A); H₂O (1:1); mp. 80° C. 129 B20 4 —CH₂—CH(NH₂)—CH(CH₃)(C₂H₅) (B); mp. 90° C. 130 B20 4 —CH₂—CH(NH₂)—(CH₂)₂—(4-methoxyphenyl) mp. 100° C. 131 B1a 4 —CH₂—CH(NH₂)-(4-piperidinyl) HCl (1:5); H₂O (1:1); mp. 269° C. 31 B27a 4 —(CH₂)₄—NH₂ mp. 94° C. 132 B27a 4 —CH(CH₃)—CH₂—NH₂ mp. 142° C. 133 B27a 3 —(CH₂)₂—NH₂ H₂O (1:1); mp. 90° C. 134 B16 4 —(CH₂)₃—NH₂ HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1); mp. >250° C. 328 B7 4 —(CH₂)₂—N(CH₃)₂ — 327 B7 4 —(CH₂)₂—N(CH₃)₂ HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:3); mp. 180° C. * = position piperidinyl (A) indicates the first isolated stereoisomeric form (B) indicates the second isolated stereoisomeric form

TABLE 5

Co. No. Ex. No. n a R^(a) R^(b) R^(c) Physical data 135 B1a 1 CH 6

COOCH(CH₃)₂] H H 136 B1a 1 CH 6

COOC₂H₅] H H 137 B16 1 CH 6-CH₂OH H H 138 B16 1 CH 6-CH₃ 5-Cl 6-Cl HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1) 139 B16 1 N 3-CH₃ H H HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 20 B16 1 N 6-CH₃ H H HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:2) 140 B16 1 N 5-CH₃ H H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 141 B16 2 CH H H H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1) 142 B16 1 CH 6-CH₃ 5-CH₃ 6-CH₃ HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2); 2-propanolate (1:1) 143 B16 1 CH 6-CH₃ 4-Cl H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 144 B16 1 CH 6-CH₃ 7-Cl H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 145 B16 1 CH 6-CH₃ 6-NO₂ H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:3) 146 B16 1 CH 6-CH₃ 6-NH₂ H HCl (1:5); H₂O (1:2) 147 B16 1 CH 6-CH₃ 5-NO₂ H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1) 148 B16 1 CH 6-CH₃ 5-NH₂ H HCl (1:5); H₂O (1:1) 149 B16 1 CH 6-CH₃ 7-CH₃ H 151 B16 1 CH 6-Cl H H 153 B16 1 CH 6-Br H H 154 B16 1 CH 6-OH H H 155 B16 1 CH 6-OCH₃ H H 156 B16 1 CH 4-Cl H H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1) 157 B16 1 CH 4-OCH₃ H H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2); 2-propanolate (1:1) 158 B16 1 CH 6-CH₂OCH₃ H H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 159 B16 1 N 5-COOC₂H₅ H H HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 160 B16 1 CH 6-CH₃ 4-CH₃ H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 161 B16 1 CH 6-CH₃ 6-COOC₂H₅ H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1) 162 B16 1 CH 6-CH₃ 6-CH₂OH H H₂O (1:1) 163 B16 1 CH 6-CH₃ 5-CF₃ H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 164 B16 1 CH 6-CH₃ 6-CF₃ H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1) 165 B16 1 CH 6-CON(CH₃)₂ H H HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:2) 166 B16 1 CH 6-CH₃ 5-Cl H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 22 B18 3 CH H H H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 167 B27a 1 CH 6-CH₃ H H 305 B16 1 CH 6-CH₃ 5-CH₃ H — 306 B16 1 CH 6-CH₃ 6-Cl H HCl (1:4)

TABLE 6

Co. No. Ex. No. a R^(a) R^(b) R^(c) R^(d) R^(e) Physical data 168 B27a CH 3-OH H H H H — 169 B1a CH 3

O—(CH₂)₂—N(CH₃)₂] 6-CH₃ H H H HCl (1:5); H₂O (1:2) 152 B16 CH H H H CH₃ H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:3) 170 B20 CH 3-NH₂ H H H CH(CH₃)₂ HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:3) 171 B20 N 5-CH₃ H H H CH₃ mp. 175° C. 172 B20 N 6-CH₃ H H H CH₃ mp. 126° C. 173 B20 N 3-CH₃ 5-CH₃ 6-CH₃ H CH₃ HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:3); mp. 208° C. 174 B20 N 3-CH₃ 5-CH₃ 6-CH₃ H CH(CH₃)₂ mp. 124° C. 175 B16 N H H H CH₃ H HCl (1:3) 176 B16 N 3-CH₃ 5-CH₃ 6-CH₃ H H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1); 2-propanolate (1:1) 177 B16 N H H H ethyl H HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 178 B16 N 6-CH₃ H H CH₃ H HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 179 B16 CH 4-CH₃ 6-CH₃ H H H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 180 B16 CH 6-Cl H H CH₃ H HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 181 B16 CH 3-OH 6-CH₃ H H H HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:2) 182 B16 CH 3-OCH₃ 6-CH₃ H H H 183 B16 CH 6-CH₂OH H H CH₃ H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1) 184 B16 CH 3-[O—(CH₂)₂—OC₂H₅ 6-CH₃ H H H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 185 B16 CH 3-OCH₂CH₂Cl 6-CH₃ H H H HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:2) 186 B20 CH H H H CH₃ CH₃ HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:3); mp. 170° C. 187 B20 N 6-CH₃ H H H CH(CH₃)₂ HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:3); mp. 200° C. 188 B20 CH H H H CH₃ CH(CH₃)₂ mp. 233° C. 189 B20 N 5-CH₃ H H H CH(CH₃)₂ mp. 114° C. 190 B20 CH H H H H CH(CH₃)₂ mp. 50° C. 25 B21 CH 3-Cl 5-CF₃ H H H 26 B22a CH 3-OH 6-CH₃ H H CH(CH₃)₂ 27 B23 CH 3-O—(CH₂)₂—OH 6-CH₃ H H H HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 28 B24 CH 4-CH₂OH 3-OH 5-CH₂OH H H HCl (1:1) 192 B27a CH 6-CH₃ H H CH₃ H 299 B16 CH 3-CN H H H H mp. 142° C. 300 B20 CH 4-OCH₃ 3-OCH₃ H H CH(CH₃)₂ HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2); mp. 210° C. 301 B16 CH 3-NH—SO₂-phenyl 6-Cl H H H mp. 161° C. 307 B20 CH 5-OCH₃ 6-OCH₃ H H CH(CH₃)₂ C₂H₂O₄ (2:7); mp. 90° C.

TABLE 7

Co. No. Ex. No. n * a R^(a) R^(b) R^(c) R^(d) Physical data 193 B16 2 2 CH₂ H H H H ethanedioate (1:3); H₂O (1:2); mp. 125° C. 194 B22b 1 2 NH Cl H 6-CH₃ CH(CH₃)₂ 195 B22b 1 2 NH H 7-CH₃ 6-CH₃ CH(CH₃)₂ 196 B16 2 2 NH H H H H ethanedioate (2:7); H₂O (1:2); mp. 170° C. 197 B16 1 2 N(CH₃) H H H H 198 B16 1 2 N(CH₂-phenyl) H H H H HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 199 B27a 0 2 NH H H H H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 200 B1a 1 2 CH₂ OCH₃ 6-OCH₃ H H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1); 2-propanolate (1:1) 201 B1a 1 3 NH H H 6-Br H HBr (1:4); H₂O (1:4) 202 B16 1 4 NH H H H H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:3) 296 B22b 1 2 NH CH₃ H 6-CH₃ CH(CH₃)₂ — * = position pyridyl

TABLE 8

Co. No. Ex. No. L a R Physical data 203 B16 4-pyrimidinyl NH H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 204 B16 2-pyrimidinyl NH H HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 205 B16 2-pyrimidinyl NH H 206 B16 3-pyridazinyl NH H HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 207 B16 4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl NH H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:3) 208 B16 2-pyrimidinyl NH H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1) 209 B16 6-methyl-2-pyridyl CH[N(CH₃)₂] H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2); 2-propanolate (1:1) 210 B7 6-methyl-2-pyridyl CH[N(CH₃)₂] —COOC(CH₃)₃ 211 B25a 2-pyridiyl NH CH₃ HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2); mp. 224° C. 212 B27a 2-[C(CH₃)₃]-6-OH-4-pyrimidinyl NH H 320 B30 2-pyridinyl NH H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1) 319 B27a 2,4-dimethyl-5-oxazolyl NH H 329 B16 2,5-dimethyl-4-oxazolyl NH H HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 333 B16 5-methyl-3-isoxazolyl NH H HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 317 B27a 2-methyl-5-oxazolyl NH H mp. 115° C.; H₂O (1:1) 323 B27a 4-thiazolyl NH H 326 B16 5-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl NH H HCl (1:3) 332 B16 2-(hydroxymethyl-5-oxazolyl NH H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 331 B16 3-methyl-5-isoxazolyl NH H HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 324 B16 2-(dimethylamino)-4-thiazolyl CH₂ H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1); propanolate (1:1) 325 B27a 2-methyl-4-thiazolyl CH₂ H 318 B27a 2-methyl-3-furanyl NH H mp. 142° C. 312 B25b 2-pyridinyl NH CH₂—CH₂OH mp. 151° C. 316 B30 2-methyl-5-oxazolyl NH H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1)

TABLE 9

Co. Ex. Physical No. No. * a R^(a) R^(b) R^(c) data 213 B16 2 N CH₂C₆H₅ H H HCl (1:4) 214 B16 5 N H 4-CH₃ H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:3) 215 B16 5 N CH₃ 4-CH₃ H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 216 B16 2 N CH₃ 5-COOC₂H₅ 4-CH₃ HCl (1:4) 217 B16 2 N CH₃ 5-Cl H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 218 B16 5 N 2-propyl 2-SCH₃ H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1) 219 B16 5 N C₂H₅ 2-CH₃ 4-CH₃ HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2); 2-propano- late (1:1) 220 B16 5 N CH₃ 2-CH₃ 4-CH₃ HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 21 B17 2 CH CH₃ 5-CH₃ H H₂O (1:1) 221 B27a 2 CH CH₃ 5-COOC₂H₅ H 222 B27a 2 CH CH₃ 5-COOC₂H₅ 4-Br *position monocyclic heterocycle

TABLE 10

Co. Ex. No. No. a b R^(a) R^(b) R^(c) Physical data 14 B11 CH CH H COCH₃ H (cis); mp. 126 15 B11 CH CH H COCH₃ H (trans); mp. 200 223 B16 CH CH H H H (trans); HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1); mp. 210 29 B25a CH N CH₃ H H 224 B25a CH N CH₃ H CH₃ HCl (1:5); H₂O (1:3)

TABLE 11

Co. No. Ex. No. n p R^(a) L Physical data 225 B7 1 1 H 6-chloro-2-pyridyl 8 B7 1 1 H 6-methyl-2-pyrazinyl 226 B7 1 2 H 2-pyridyl 227 B7 1 1 H 5-methyl-2-pyrazinyl 228 B7 1 1 CH₃ 2-pyridyl 229 B7 1 2 H 2-pyridyl 230 B7 1 1 H 4-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl 231 B7 1 1 H 3-methyl-2-pyrazinyl 232 B7 2 1 H 2-pyridyl 233 B7 1 1 H 1,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl 234 B7 1 1 H 4-pyrimidinyl 235 B7 0 1 — 2-pyrimidinyl 236 B7 1 1 H 6-(hydroxymethyl)-2-pyridyl 237 B7 1 1 H 1,4-dimethyl-5

COOC₂H₅)-1H-imidazol-2-yl 238 B7 1 1 CH₃ 2-pyrazinyl 239 B7 1 1 H 3,5,6-trimethyl-2-pyrazinyl 240 B7 1 1 Ethyl 2-pyrazinyl 241 B7 1 1 CH₃ 6-methyl-2-pyrazinyl 242 B7 1 1 H 5-chloro-1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl 243 B7 1 1 H 4,6-dimethyl-2-pyridyl 244 B7 1 1 H 6-bromo-2-pyridyl 245 B7 1 1 H 6

COOC₂H₅)-2-pyridyl 246 B7 1 1 H 1,5-dimethyl-2-pyrrolyl 247 B7 1 1 H 6-methoxy-2-pyridyl 248 B7 1 1 H 4-chloro-2-pyridyl 249 B7 1 1 H 4-methoxy-2-pyridyl 250 B7 1 1 H 2-pyrimidinyl 251 B7 1 1 H 3-methoxy-6-methyl-2-pyridyl 252 B7 1 1 H 6-methyl-3

O—C₂H₄—O—C₂H₅)-2-pyridyl 253 B7 1 1 CH₃ 6-hydroxymethyl-2-pyridyl 254 B7 1 1 H 6-bromo-3-pyridyl 9 B8 1 1 H 2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-6-hydroxy-4-pyrimidinyl 255 B8 1 1 H 1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl 256 B8 1 1 H 1-(2-propyl)-2

S—CH₃)-1H-imidazol-5-yl 257 B8 1 1 CH₃ 6-chloro-2-pyridyl 258 B8 1 1 H 1-ethyl-2,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl H₂O (1:1) 259 B8 1 1 H 3-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyridyl 260 B8 1 1 H 4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl 261 B8 1 1 H 5

COOC₂H₅)-2-pyrazinyl 262 B8 1 1 H 1,2,4-trimethyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl 10 B9a 1 1 H 3

O—C₂H₄Cl)-6-methyl-2-pyridyl 263 B9a 1 1 H 6

CH₂O—CH₃)-2-pyridyl 11 B9b 1 1 H 3

O—C₂H₄—N(CH₃)₂]-6-methyl-2-pyridyl 12 B10a 1 1 H 6-chloro-3-pyridazinyl 13 B10b 1 1 H 3-pyridazinyl 330 B7 1 1 H 2-methyl-4-methoxycarbonyl-5-oxazolyl

TABLE 12

Co. No. Ex. No. R^(a1), R^(a2) R^(b) R^(c) a R^(d) Physical data 264 B7 H, H OCH₃ 6-OCH₃ CH₂ H 265 B7 H, H H H N(CH₃) H 266 B7 H, H H H N(CH₂—C₆H₅) H 267 B7 H, H Cl 6-Cl NH CH₃ 268 B7 H, H CH₃ 6-CH₃ NH CH₃ 269 B7 H, H H 4-Cl NH CH₃ 270 B7 H, H H 7-Cl NH CH₃ 271 B7 H, H H 6-NO₂ NH CH₃ 272 B7 H, H NO₂ H NH CH₃ 273 B7 H, H H 7-CH₃ NH CH₃ 274 B7 H, H H 4-CH₃ NH CH₃ H₂O (1:1) 275 B7 H, H H 6-ethoxy-carbonyl NH CH₃ 276 B7 H, H H 6-hydroxy-methyl NH CH₃ 277 B7 H, H CF₃ H NH CH₃ 278 B7 H, H H 6-CF₃ NH CH₃ 279 B7 H, H H H NH —CO—N(CH₃)₂ 280 B7 H, H Cl H NH CH₃ 16 B12 CH₃, CH₃ H H NH H 17 B13 H, H —NH₂ H NH CH₃ 281 B13 H, H H 6-NH₂ NH CH₃ 19 B15 —CH₂OH, H H H NH H

TABLE 13

Co. No. Ex. No. n m o p a R^(a) R^(b) L Physical data 6 B5 1 0 2 1 CH H H H 283 B27a 1 0 1 1 N H H —(CH₂)₂—NH₂ HCl (1:4), H₂O (1:1); 2-propanolate (1:1) 284 B27a 1 1 1 1 N H H —(CH₂)₂—NH₂ HCl (1:1) 285 B27a 1 1 0 2 CH H H —(CH₂)₂—NH₂ HCl (1:4), H₂O (1:1); mp. 205° C. 286 B4 1 1 0 2 CH H H H 30 B26 0 1 1 1 CH CH₃ H —CH(CH₃)—CH₂—NH₂ mp. 85° C.

TABLE 14

Co. No. Ex. No. R_(a) L Physical data 288 B25a H

289 B4 H

309 B19 H —NH—(CH₂)₃—NH₂ HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:2) 347 B16 H —NH—CH(CH₃)—(CH₂)₂—NH—(CH₂)₂—NH₂ HCl (1:4); 2-propanolate (1:1) 345 B19 H —N(CH₃)—(CH₂)₃—NH—(CH₂)₂—NH₂ HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1) 346 B19 H

HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1) 341 B25a H

HCl (1:3); H₂O (1:1) 313 B25c OH —NHCH₂CH(OH)CH₂NH₂

TABLE 15

Co. No. Ex. No. a n R^(a) R^(b) R^(c) R^(d) R^(f) Physical data 290 B16 CH 0 3-OH 6-CH₃ 7-CH₃ H H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:4) 291 B22b N 0 3-OH 6-CH₃ 7-CH₃ H CH—(CH₃)₂ — 292 B22b CH 0 3-OH 6-CH₃ 7-CH₃ H CH₃ HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:3) 293 B22b CH 0 3-OH 6-CH₃ 7-CH₃ H CH—(CH₃)₂ — 195 B22b CH 0 6-CH₃ H 7-CH₃ H CH—(CH₃)₂ — 303 B28 CH 1 6-CH₃ H 7-CH₃ H OH H₂O (1:1) 304 B22b CH 0 6-CH₃ H 6-CH₃ H CH—(CH₃)₂ — 342 B16 CH 0 3-OH 6-CH₃ 5-Cl 7-CH₃ H HCl (1:4), 2-propanolate (1:1) 348 B16 CH 0 3-OH 6-CH₃ 5-Br 7-CH₃ H HCl (1:4) 351 B22b CH 0 3-OH 6-CH₃ 4-CH₃ H CH—(CH₃)₂ HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:1) 340 B16 CH 0 3-OH 6-CH₃ 4-CH₃ H H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 344 B16 CH 0 3-OH 6-CH₃ 4-CH₃ 6-Cl H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:4) 349 B16 CH 0 3-OH 6-CH₃ 5-(4-fluorobenzoyl) H H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 350 B16 CH 0 3-OH 6-CH₃ 6-(4-fluorobenzoyl) H H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:2) 355 B16 CH 0 3-OH 6-CH₃ 7-CH₃ H H 356 B16 CH 0 3-OH 6-CH₃ 7-CH₃ H H C₄H₆O₄ (1:1); H₂O (1:1) 357 B16 CH 0 3-OH 6-CH₃ 7-CH₃ H H C₄H₆O₅ (1:1); H₂O (1:2) 353 B16 CH 0 3-OH 6-CH₃ 7-CH₃ H H HCl (1:4); H₂O (1:5)

TABLE 16

Co. No. Ex. No. a b R^(a) L P Physical data 295 B22b CH CH 5-Cl —CH₂—CH(NH₂)—CH(CH₃)₂

297 B22b CH CH 5-Cl —CH₂—CH(NH₂)—CH(CH₃)₂

H₂O (1:1) 298 B22b CH CH H —CH₂—CH(NH₂)—CH(CH₃)₂

310 B1b CH N H H

HBr (1:3).H₂O (1:1).C₂H₆O (1:1) 302 B1a CH CH 5-Cl H

321 B27a N CH H —CH₂—CH₂—NH₂ 2,4-dimethyl-5-oxazolyl 339 B8 N CH 7-CH₃ —C(═O)—O—CH₂—CH₃

336 B9b CH CH H —C(═O)—O—C(CH₃)₃

337 B25a CH CH H —C(═O)—O—CH₂—CH₃

mp. 171° C. 352 B7 CH CH 7-CH₃ —(CH₂)₃—NH—C(═O)OC(CH₃)₃

354 B16 CH CH 7-CH₃ —(CH₂)₃—NH—CH═O

.HCl(1:4)

TABLE 17

Co. No. Ex. No. a b c R^(a) R^(b) R^(c) L Physical data 343 B1b CH NH CH H 5-Br 7-CH₃ 3-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyridinyl HBr (1:3) 338 B1b CH NH CH H H 7-CH₃ 3-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyridinyl 335 B20 N NH CH

H H 2-pyridinyl mp. 198° C. 334 B27a N NH CH —(CH₂)₂—NH₂ H H 2-pyridinyl mp. 186 322 B27a N CH₂ N —(CH₂)₂—NH₂ H H 2-methyl-5-oxazolyl 314 B27b CH CH₂ N —(CH₂)₂—NH₂ H H 5-methoxymethyl-2-furanyl

C. PHARMACOLOGICAL EXAMPLE EXAMPLE C1 In Vitro Screening for Activity Against Respiratory Syncytial Virus

The percent protection against cytopathology caused by viruses (antiviral activity or IC₅₀) achieved by tested compounds and their cytotoxicity (CC₅₀) were both calculated from dose-response curves. The selectivity of the antiviral effect is represented by the selectivity index (SI), calculated by dividing the CC₅₀ (cytotoxic dose for 50% of the cells) by the IC₅₀ (antiviral activity for 50% of the cells).

Automated tetrazolium-based colorimetric assays were used for determination of IC₅₀ and CC₅₀ of test compounds. Flat-bottom, 96-well plastic microtiter trays were filled with 180 μl of Eagle's Basal Medium, supplemented with 5% FCS (0% for FLU) and 20 mM Hepes buffer. Subsequently, stock solutions (7.8× final test concentration) of compounds were added in 45 μl volumes to a series of triplicate wells so as to allow simultaneous evaluation of their effects on virus- and mock-infected cells. Five five-fold dilutions were made directly in the microtiter trays using a robot system. Untreated virus controls, and HeLa cell controls were included in each test. Approximately 100 TCID50 of Respiratory Syncytial Virus was added to two of the three rows in a volume of 50 μl. The same volume of medium was added to the third row to measure the cytotoxicity of the compounds at the same concentrations as those used to measure the antiviral activity. After two hours of incubation, a suspension (4×10⁵ cells/ml) of HeLa cells was added to all wells in a volume of 50 μl. The cultures were incubated at 37° C. in a 5% CO₂ atmosphere. Seven days after infection the cytotoxicity and the antiviral activity was examined spectrophotometrically. To each well of the microtiter tray, 25 μl of a solution of MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) was added. The trays were further incubated at 37° C. for 2 hours, after which the medium was removed from each cup. Solubilization of the formazan crystals was achieved by adding 100 μl 2-propanol. Complete dissolution of the formazan crystals were obtained after the trays have been placed on a plate shaker for 10 min. Finally, the absorbances were read in an eight-channel computer-controlled photometer (Multiskan MCC, Flow Laboratories) at two wavelengths (540 and 690 nm). The absorbance measured at 690 nm was automatically subtracted from the absorbance at 540 nm, so as to eliminate the effects of non-specific absorption.

Particular IC₅₀, CC₅₀ and SI values are listed in Table 18 hereinbelow. TABLE 18 Co. No. IC₅₀ (μM) CC₅₀ (μM) SI 290 0.00013 >0.010 >79 292 0.00032 63.85 199526 351 0.00063 50.04 79433 297 0.00251 >99.93 >39811 296 0.00631 19.95 3162 27 0.0126 >100.08 >7943 192 0.0631 63.1 1000 144 0.1259 50.11 398 222 0.5012 39.59 79 142 1.2589 40.28 32 145 2.5119 >50.24 >20 

1. A method of treating a respiratory syncytial viral infection, comprising the step of providing a compound of formula

an addition salt, or stereochemically isomeric form thereof, wherein -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴ represents a bivalent radical of formula —N═CH—CH═CH—  (a-2); —CH═N—CH═CH—  (a-3); —CH═CH—N═CH—  (a-4); or —CH═CH—CH═N—  (a-5); wherein each hydrogen atom in the radicals (a (a-2), (a-3), (a-4) and (a-5) may optionally be replaced by halo, C₁₋₆alkyl, nitro, amino, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, polyhalo C₁₋₆alkyl, carboxyl, aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, or a radical of formula

wherein Z is O, CH—C(═O)—NR^(5a)R^(5b), CH₂, CH—C₁₋₆alkyl, N—OH or N—O—C₁₋₆alkyl; Q is a radical of formula

wherein Alk is C₁₋₆alkanediyl; Y¹ is a bivalent radical of formula —NR²— or —CH(NR²R⁴)—; X¹ is NR⁴, S, S(═O), S(═O)₂, O, CH₂, C(═O), C(═CH₂), CH(OH), CH(CH₃), CH(OCH₃), CH(SCH₃), CH(NR^(5a)R^(5b)), CH₂—NR⁴ or NR⁴—CH₂; X² is a direct bond, CH₂, C(═O), NR⁴, C₁₋₄alkyl-NR⁴, NR⁴—C₁₋₄alkyl; t is 2, 3, 4 or 5; u is 1, 2, 3,4 or 5; v is 2 or 3; and whereby each hydrogen atom in Alk and the carbocycles and the heterocycles defined in radicals (b-3), (b-4), (b-5), (b-6), (b-7) and (b-8) may optionally be replaced by R³; with the proviso that when R³ is hydroxy or C₁₋₆alkyloxy, then R³ can not replace a hydrogen atom in the a position relative to a nitrogen atom; G is a direct bond or C₁₋₁₀alkanediyl; R¹ is a monocyclic heterocycle selected from piperidinyl, piperazinyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, furanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, and isothiazolyl; and each heterocycle may optionally be substituted with 1 or where possible more substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—; each n independently is 1, 2, 3 or 4; R² is hydrogen, formyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl, Hetcarbonyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl substituted with N(R⁶)₂, or C₁₋₁₀alkyl substituted with N(R⁶)₂ and optionally with a second, third or fourth substituent selected from amino, hydroxy, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, C₂₋₅alkanediyl, piperidinyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonylamino, aryl and aryloxy; R³ is hydrogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, arylC₁₋₆alkyl or arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; R⁴ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or arylC₁₋₆alkyl; R^(5a), R^(5b), R^(5c) and R^(5d) each independently are hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; or R^(5a) and R^(5b), or R^(5c) and R^(5d) taken together form a bivalent radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)— wherein s is 4 or 5; R⁶ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, formyl, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl or C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; aryl is phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1 or more, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhalo C₁₋₆alkyl, and C₁₋₆alkyloxy; and Het is pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, or pyridazinyl.
 2. A compound of formula (I′)

an addition salt, or stereochemically isomeric form thereof, wherein -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴- represents a radical of formula —N═CH—CH═CH—  (a-2); —CH═N—CH═CH—  (a-3); —CH═CH—N═CH—  (a-4); or —CH═CH—CH═N—  (a-5); wherein each hydrogen atom in the radicals (a-2), (a-3), (a-4) and (a-5) may optionally be replaced by halo, C₁₋₆alkyl, nitro, amino, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, carboxyl, aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, or a radical of formula

wherein Z is Om CH—C(═O)—NR^(5a)R^(5b), CH₂, CH—C₁₋₆alkyl, N—OH or N—O—C₁₋₆alkyl; Q is a radical of formula

wherein Alk is C₁₋₆alkanediyl; Y¹ is a bivalent radical of formula —NR— or —CH(NR²R⁴)—; X¹ is NR⁴, S, S(═O), S(═O)₂, O, CH₂, C(═O), C(═CH₂), CH(OH), CH(CH₃), CH(OCH₃), CH(SCH₃), CH(N^(5a)R^(5b)), CH₂—NR⁴ or NR⁴—CH₂; X² is a direct bond, CH₂, C(═O), NR⁴, C₁₋₄alkyl-NR⁴, NR⁴—C₁₋₄alkyl; t is 2, 3, 4 or 5; u is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; v is 2 or 3; and whereby each hydrogen atom in Alk and the carbocycles and the heterocycles defined in radicals (b-3), (b-4), (b-5), (b-6), (b-7) and (b-8) may optionally be replaced by R³; with the proviso that when R³ is hydroxy or C₁₋₆alkyloxy, then R³ can not replace a hydrogen atom in the ax position relative to a nitrogen atom; G is a direct bond or C₁₋₁₀alkanediyl; R¹ is a monocyclic heterocycle selected from pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl and pyrazolyl; and each heterocycle may optionally be substituted with 1 or where possible more, such as 2, 3 or 4, substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, amino, cyano, carboxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, C₁₋₆alkylthio, C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆alkyl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, aryl-SO₂—NR^(5c)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, —C(═O)—NR^(5c)R^(5d), HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, halo(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, C₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, arylC₁₋₆alkyloxy(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)— and mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(-CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—; each n independently is 1, 2, 3 or 4; R² is hydrogen, formyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl substituted with N(R⁶)₂, or C₁₋₁₀alkyl substituted with N(R⁶)₂ and optionally with a second, third or fourth substituent selected from amino, hydroxy, C₃₋₇cycloalkyl, C₂₋₅alkanediyl, piperidinyl, mono- or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonylamino, aryl and aryloxy; R³ is hydrogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, arylC₁₋₆alkyl or aryl C₁₋₆alkyloxy; R⁴ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl or arylC₁₋₆alkyl; R^(5a), R^(5b), R^(5c) and R^(5d) each independently are hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; or R^(5a) and R^(5b), or R^(5c) and R^(5d) taken together form a bivalent radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)— wherein s is 4 or 5; R⁶ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, formyl, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl or C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; aryl is phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1 or more substituents selected from halo, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, polyhaloC₁₋₆alkyl, and C₁₋₆alkyloxy; provided that when G is methylene, and R¹ is 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 6-methyl-2-pyridyl, 2-pyrazinyl or 5-methyl-imidazol-4-yl, and -a¹=a 2-a³=a⁴- is —CH═CH—CH═CH— or —N═CH—CH═CH—, then Q is other than


3. A compound as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

wherein X¹ is NR⁴, O, S, S(═), S(═O)₂, CH₂, C(═O), C(═CH₂) or CH(CH₃), then R¹ is other than pyridyl, pyridyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, imidazolyl and imidazolyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl.
 4. A compound as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

wherein X¹ is NR⁴, O, S, S(═O), S(═O)₂, CH₂, C(═O), C(═CH₂) or CH(CH₃), then R¹ is other than pyridyl, pyridyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, pyridyl substituted with 1 or 2 C₁₋₆alkyloxy, pyrazinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, imidazolyl and imidazolyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl.
 5. A compound as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

wherein X¹ is NR⁴, O, S, S(═O), S(═O)₂, CH₂, C(═O), C(═CH₂) or CH(CH₃), then R¹ is other than pyridyl, pyridyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, imidazolyl and imidazolyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl.
 6. A compound as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

then R¹ is other than pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, imidazolyl and imidazolyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl.
 7. A compound as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

wherein X² is CH₂ or a direct bond, then R¹ is other than pyridyl, pyridyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, imidazolyl and imidazolyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyl.
 8. A compound, wherein the compound is: (±)-2-[[2-[[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-7-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol tetrahydrochloride monohydrate; 2-[[2-[[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl-3-pyridinol; (±)-N-[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]-6-chloro-1-[(1,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine monohydrate; (±)-N-[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]-6-chloro-1-[(6-methyl-2-pyridinyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine; N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[[3-(2-ethoxyethoxy)-6-methyl-2-pyridinyl]methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine tetrahydrochloride dihydrate; (±)-N-[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(2-chloro-1,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine; (±)-N-[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]-6-chloro-1-[(2-chloro-1,4-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine; (±)-N-[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]-6-methyl-1-[(6-methyl-2-pyridinyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine; (±)-N-[1-(2-aminopropyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(3,5,6-trimethylpyrazinyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine tetrahydrochloride trihydrate; (±)-N-[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(3,5,6-trimethylpyrazinyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine; N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[[3-(2-chloroethoxy)-6-methyl-2-pyridinyl]methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine trihydrochloride dihydrate; (±)-N-[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[3-amino-2-pyridinyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine tetrahydrochloride trihydrate; 2-[[2-[[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-4-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol tetrahydrochloride; (±)-2-[[2-[[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol; 2-[[2-[[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-6-chloro-4-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol tetrahydrochloride 2-propanolate (1:1); (±)-2-[[2-[[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-4-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol; (±)-2-[[2-[[1-(2-aminopropyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-4-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol tetrahydrochloride trihydrate; 2-[[2-[[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-7-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol tetrahydrochloride dihydrate; 2-[[2-[[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-6-bromo-4-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol tetrahydrochloride; 2-[[2-[[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol tetrahydrochloride monohydrate; (±)-2-[[2-[[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol; (±)-N-[1-(2-amino-3-methylbutyl)-4-piperidinyl]-4-methyl-1-[(6-methyl-2-pyridinyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine; an addition salt or stereochemically isomeric form thereof.
 9. A compound, wherein the compound is: 2-[[2-[[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]-5-chloro-7-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-6-methyl-3-pyridinol tetrahydrochloride tetrahydrate; N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(2,4-dimethyl-5-oxazolyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine; N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(2,5-dimethyl-4-oxazolyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine trihydrochloride monohydrate; N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(5-methyl-3-isoxazolyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine trihydrochloride monohydrate; N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(2-methyl-5-oxazolyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine monohydrate; N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(2-methyl-5-oxazolyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine trihydrochloride monohydrate; N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-(4-thiazolylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine; N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]1-[(5-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine trihydrochloride; 5-[[2-[[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl-2-oxazolemethanol tetrahydrochloride dihydrate; N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(3-methyl-5-isoxazolyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine trihydrochloride monohydrate; 4-[[1-[[2-(dimethylamino)-4-thiazolyl]methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]methyl]-1-piperidineethanamine tetrahydrochloride monohydrate 2-propanolate (1:1); ethyl 5-[[2-[[1-[2-[[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]amino]ethyl]-4-piperidinyl]amino]-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]methyl]-2-methyl-4-oxazolecarboxylate; 4-[[1-[(2-methyl-4-thiazolyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]methyl]-1-piperidineethanamine; N-[1-(2-aminoethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-1-[(2-methyl-3-furanyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine; 1,1-dimethylethyl 4-[[1-[[3-[2-(dimethylamino)ethoxy]-6-methyl-2-pyridinyl]methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]amino-1-piperidinecarboxylate; ethyl 4-[[1-[(3-amino-2-pyridinyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]amino]-1-piperidinecarboxylate; N-[1-(6-methyl-2-pyridinyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]-1-(3-pyridinylcarbonyl)-4-piperidinamine; an addition salt or stereochemically isomeric form thereof.
 10. (canceled)
 11. (canceled)
 12. (canceled)
 13. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound as claimed in any one of claims 2, 8 or
 9. 14. A process of preparing a composition as claimed in claim 13, comprising the step of intimately mixing said carrier with said compound.
 15. A process of preparing a compound as claimed in claim 2, comprising at least one step selected from the group consisting of: a) reacting an intermediate of formula (II-a) or (II-b) with an intermediate of formula (III)

 with R¹, G. Q and -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴- defined as in claim 2, and W₁ being a leaving group, in the presence of a base and in a reaction-inert solvent; b) deprotecting an intermediate of formula (IV)

 with R¹, G, and -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴- defined as in claim 2, H-Q₁ being defined as Q according to claim 2 provided that R² or at least one R⁶ substituent is hydrogen, and P being a protective group; c) deprotecting and reducing an intermediate of formula (IV-a)

 with R¹, G, and -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴- defined as in claim 2, H-Q₁ being defined as Q according to claim 2 provided that R² or at least one R⁶ substituent is hydrogen,  Q_(1a)(CH═CH) being defined as Q₁ provided that Q₁ comprises an unsaturated bond, and P being a protective group; d) deprotecting an intermediate of formula (V)

 with R¹, G, and -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴- defined as in claim 2, and H₂N-Q₂ being defined as Q according to claim 2 provided that both R⁶ substituents are hydrogen or R² and R⁴ are both hydrogen; e) deprotecting an intermediate of formula (VI)

 with R¹, G, and -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴- defined as in claim 2, and H₂N-Q₂ being defined as Q according to claim 2 provided that both R⁶ substituents are hydrogen or R² and R⁴ are both hydrogen, and P being a protective group; f) deprotecting an intermediate of formula (VII) or (VIII)

 with R¹, G, and -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴- defined as in claim 2, H-Q_(1′)(OH) being defined as Q according to claim 2 provided that R² or at least one R⁶ substituent is hydrogen and provided that Q comprises a hydroxy moiety, H₂N-Q_(2′)(OH) being defined as Q according to claim 2 provided that both R⁶ substituents are hydrogen or R² and R⁴ are both hydrogen and provided that Q comprises a hydroxy moiety, and P being a protective group; g) amination of an intermediate of formula (IX)

 with R¹, G, and -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴- defined as in claim 2, and H₂N-Q₃H being defined as Q according to claim 2 provided that both R⁶ substituents are hydrogen or R² and R⁴ are both hydrogen, and the carbon adjacent to the nitrogen carrying the R⁶, or R² and R⁴ substituents contains at least one hydrogen, in the presence of a suitable an amination reagent; h) reducing an intermediate of formula (X)

 with R¹, G, and -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴- defined as in claim 2, and H₂N—CH₂-Q₄ being defined as Q according to claim 2 provided that Q comprises a —CH₂—NH₂ moiety, in the presence of a reducing agent; i) reducing an intermediate of formula (X-a)

 with G, and -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴- defined as in claim 2, H₂N—CH₂-Q₄ being defined as Q according to claim 2 provided that Q comprises a —CH₂—NH₂ moiety, and R^(1′) being defined as R¹ according to claim 2 provided that it comprises at least one substituent, in the presence of suitable reducing agent and solvent; j) amination of an intermediate of formula (XI)

 with R¹, G, and -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴- defined as in claim 2, and H₂N—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂-Q_(4′) being defined as Q according to claim 2 provided that Q comprises a CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—NH₂ moiety, in the presence of a suitable an amination reagent; k) reacting an intermediate of formula (XII) with formic acid, formamide and ammonia

 with R¹, G, and -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴- defined as in claim 2, and H—C(═O)-Q₁ being defined as Q according to claim 2 provided that R² or at least one R⁶ substituent is formyl; amination of an intermediate of formula (XIII) by reaction with an intermediate of formula (XIV)

 with R¹, G, and -a1=a²-a³=a⁴- defined as in claim 2, and R^(2a)—NH—HQ₅ being defined as Q according to claim 2 provided that R² is other than hydrogen and is represented by R^(2a), R⁴ is hydrogen, and the carbon atom adjacent to the nitrogen atom carrying the R² and R⁴ substituents, carries also at least one hydrogen atom, in the presence of a reducing agent; m) reducing an intermediate of formula (XV)

 with R¹, G, and -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴- defined as in claim 2, and (R⁶)₂N-[(C₁₋₁₀alkyl)CH₂OH]-NH—HQ₅ being defined as Q according to claim 2 provided that R² is other than hydrogen and is represented by C₁₋₁₀alkyl substituted with N(R₆)₂ and with hydroxy, and the carbon atom carrying the hydroxy, carries also two hydrogen atoms, and provided that R⁴ is hydrogen, and the carbon atom adjacent to the nitrogen atom carrying the R² and R⁴ substituents, carries also at least one hydrogen atom, with a reducing agent; n) deprotecting an intermediate of formula (XVI), (XVI-a) or (XVI-b)

 with G, and -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴- defined as in claim 2, and H-Q₁ being defined as Q according to claim 2 provided that R² or at least one R⁶ substituent is hydrogen, and R^(1a)-(A-O—H)_(w), R^(1a′)-(A-O—H)₂ and R^(1a″)-(A-O—H)₃ being defined as R¹ according to claim 2 provided that R¹ is substituted with hydroxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, or HO(—CH₂—CH₂—O)_(n)—, with w being an integer from 1 to 4 and P or P₁ being a protecting group, with a suitable an acid; o) amination of an intermediate of formula (XVII)

 with R¹, G, -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴-, Alk, X¹R² and R⁴ defined as in claim 2, in the presence of an amination agent; and p) amination of an intermediate of formula (XIX)

with R¹, G, and -a¹=a²-a³=a⁴- defined as in claim 2, and Q₆N—CH₂—C₁₋₃alkyl-NR⁴ being defined as Q according to claim 2 provided that in the definition of Q, X² is C₂₋₄alkyl-NR⁴, in the presence of a suitable an amination agent.
 16. A product, (a) a first compound as claimed in any one of claims 2, 8 or 9; and (b) a second antiviral compound, wherein said first compound and said second compound are simultaneously, separately or sequentially used in the treatment or the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus infections.
 17. A pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and (a) a first compound as claimed in any one of claims 2, 8 or 9; and (b) a second antiviral compound.
 18. The process of claim 15, further comprising the step of converting compound of formula (I′) or stereochemically isomeric forms thereof into a therapeutically active non-toxic acid addition salt by treatment with an acid.
 19. The process of claim 15, further comprising the step of converting compound of formula (I′) or stereochemically forms thereof into a therapeutically active non-toxic base addition salt by treatment with alkali.
 20. The process of claim 15, further comprising the step of converting the acid addition salt form of compound of formula (I′) or stereochemically isomeric forms thereof into the free base by treatment with alkali.
 21. The process of claim 15, further comprising the step of converting the base addition salt form of compound of formula (I′) or stereochemically isomeric forms thereof into the free acid by treatment with acid. 